Tasting Notes
December 2024 Tasting Notes
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Beringer – Private Reserve – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 98 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Deeply saturated in color with a rich depth and elegance, exhibiting a substantial backbone and structure, all hallmarks of this incredible 2018 vintage of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and will continue to reward after years of carful cellaring. Fresh, ripe berry notes of blackberry, black cherry, crème de cassis and dark plum all combine, offering a plush, juicy, mouthwatering character that is very approachable in its youth. Complex layers of wild bramble berry fruit, wild violets and notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, graphite and tobacco spice, from the well-integrated oak, seamlessly are interwoven with the full-bodied ripe tannins, supporting a firm structure with balanced acidity, leading to a long, persistent, textured finish.
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Gundlach Bundschu – Sonoma County – 2021
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec
For six generations and over 160 years, our family has farmed our Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations. Today, we focus on making small lots of ultra-premium wines from our distinctive, historic and Regenerative Organic Certified vineyards.
Swirl, sip and taste notes of black currant, a bundle of blackberries, cocoa nibs and even a hint of graham cracker. We recommend you pair it with a sweet and spicy flavor profile, like Korean short ribs, or for a simpler night in, it goes perfectly with a platter of dried jack cheese and fresh cherries as well.
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Klipsun – Red Mountain – 2022
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot
Once named as one of the “25 Great Vineyards of the World” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, Klipsun has earned a reputation as one of Washington’s “First Growth” vineyards. We are driven to craft benchmark wines that express the nuance of our terroir at both its most raw and most refined. Small lots. Uncompromising standards. Sourced exclusively from our Red Mountain property. Each vintage is a testament to the land, the seasons and the meticulous craft that produced it.
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Pandemonium – Red Blend – Paso Robles – 2021
Rating: 95 pts – Tasting Panel
Composition: Lagrein, Zinfandel, and Merlot
Thanks to Paso Robles’ large diurnal temperature shift and mountainous terrain, the grapes of this region are highly concentrated with intense fruit flavors and distinct regional characteristics. Pandemonium Red Blend draws from some of the finest fruits of this area, mixing Lagrein, Zinfandel, and Merlot. The result is a rich and luscious wine, with jammy red fruit flavors and hints of leather, black pepper, and Paso Robles’ signature brown spice. Aged for 12 months in French oak, this wine is markedly savory with chalky tannins and a pleasant mouthfeel.
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Routestock – Napa Valley – 2022
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 89.5% Cabernet sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
A deep magenta color leads to an enveloping aroma of cedar, shaved graphite, black plum, and dried thyme. The flavor and structure is all Napa Valley! The wine is medium-full bodied with a beautiful rich, supple texture and flavors of dark fruit, exotic spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), tobacco, coffee, and dark chocolate. There is a nice brightness from the acidity, a subtle kiss of tannin, and nice ripe fruit to make this a complete Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Taaibosch – Crescendo – Stellenbosch, South Africa - 2019
Rating: 98 pts – Tim Atkins
Composition: 65% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
All grapes on the estate are hand-picked. Once received in the cellar, the grapes are gently transferred by means of gravity to both stainless steel and cement vessels for fermentation. A period of cold soaking follows, which enables rich extraction of colour, elegant aromas and bright flavour. Extended maceration follows at the conclusion of fermentation, which assists in providing the wine with soft texture, increased colour intensity and complexity.
Two years after the launch of Taaibosch Crescendo and almost a year to the day after the 2018 Crescendo was revealed as “Red Wine Discovery of the Year”, Tim Atkins renews his confidence with Crescendo 2019 and awards the exceptional score of 98/100, positioning Taaibosch as one of the top 5 red wines in South Africa, and once again putting the Stellenbosch region and its fabulous Taaibosch vineyard on the world map!
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November 2024 Tasting Notes
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Farella – Coombsville, Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 95 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate vineyard in the heart of the new Coombsville-Napa Valley AVA. The Cab components are from our Old Vine, Rockpile and T-Bud blocks which are positioned on a fairly steep slope facing due west. For the moderate temperatures of Coombsville, the exposure to the late afternoon sun, a key to the inherent richness and slow development of color and tannin. With our style focused on balance, layers and depth, we were careful not to create a wine that was over the top stylistically in keeping with our goal of "delicious while young, amazing with age."
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Grounded Wine Co. – Steady State Red Blend – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 93 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Malbec, 0.5% Merlot
Our mission is to create wines that evoke a sense of place. Intriguing, clean, balanced, and accessible, Grounded Wine Co. produces terroir driven wines with an emphasis on quality and experience. By winemaker, Josh Phelps.
Broodingly deep ruby in color, 2016 Steady State shows fragrant notes of cassis buds, ripe red and black cherries, as well as warm, complex aromas of blackberry brambles, wild rosemary and lavender. Intense and focused on the palate, the tannins are well-proportioned, lending elegance and charm throughout the long, aromatic finish. While drinkable upon release, this wine has the balance and structure to drink nicely for 8 to 10 years.
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Hill Family – Estate – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 93 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest nearly equal parts Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot
The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is carefully blended to give power and balance. We appreciate the opportunity to use high elevations (Baker Vineyard in Atlas Peak is at 1,200 ft.) with their intense tannins and color, then blend and civilize them with vineyards from the valley floor and cooler areas. 2021 had many hot spells all the way into October, so the sugars outran the tannins in development. The unevolved tannins had to be softened with Merlot and Malbec, and even the Petit Verdot had softer tannins than the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a big intense wine from a low crop fast ripening drought year, but we are all lion tamers at Hill Family Estate, and we are sure this wine will be enjoyed for years to come. The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon displays aromas of ripe berries, cassis, and mocha. Rich fruit and ripe tannins define the style of this wine.
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Taaibosch – Crescendo – Stellenbosch, South Africa -2019
Rating: 98 pts – Tim Atkins
Composition: 65% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
All grapes on the estate are hand-picked. Once received in the cellar, the grapes are gently transferred by means of gravity to both stainless steel and cement vessels for fermentation. A period of cold soaking follows, which enables rich extraction of colour, elegant aromas and bright flavour. Extended maceration follows at the conclusion of fermentation, which assists in providing the wine with soft texture, increased colour intensity and complexity.
Two years after the launch of Taaibosch Crescendo and almost a year to the day after the 2018 Crescendo was revealed as “Red Wine Discovery of the Year”, Tim Atkins renews his confidence with Crescendo 2019 and awards the exceptional score of 98/100, positioning Taaibosch as one of the top 5 red wines in South Africa, and once again putting the Stellenbosch region and its fabulous Taaibosch vineyard on the world map!
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Vineyard 29 – Aida Estate – St. Helena – 2018
Rating: 98 pts – Robert Parkers Wine Advocate
Composition: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
Our Aida Estate Vineyard has confirmed our initial belief that this site would be the ideal location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Just north of the pinch in the hourglass of the Napa Valley, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from our Aida Estate provide the bold, structured backbone for this immensely enjoyable wine.
Explosive aromas of black currants, deep black cherry, cocoa powder and crushed stone. With hints of blueberry, violet, and scorched earth on the palate, this powerful, concentrated St. Helena Cabernet has a velvety texture, structured acid backbone, firm tannin profile and long, drawn out finish. This upper valley cabernet will offer a spectacular glass of wine for the next twenty plus years.
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October 2024 Tasting Notes
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Gemstone – Heritage Selection – Yountville – 2018
Rating: 95 pts – Vinous
Cases Produced: 482
Our Heritage Selection Estate Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the depth and complexity of our vineyard’s 16 different heritage clones. Fruit-forward, opulent and dense, our winemaker has an extensive palette of unique flavors from across our vineyard from which to choose. Each of the terroir-driven micro-blocks of the vineyard are vinified individually from harvest to barrel. The myriad winemaking and viticultural possibilities exhibit themselves in the inimitable layers of complexity unique to Gemstone Vineyard wines.
The 2018 Heritage Selection is full bodied and smooth, with bright blue and dark berry fruits, mocha, exotic spice and minerality across the palate. The finish is long with silky tannins that will support aging beautifully for the next 20+ years but is crafted to achieve balance and character suitable for enjoyment upon release.
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Gemstone – Facets – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 96 pts – Anne Sewell
Cases Produced: 500
Crafted under Winemaker Julien Fayard’s expertise, his philosophy emphasizes the importance of expressing the unique characteristics of each vineyard site and grape variety. Facets fruit is sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in Yountville, Calistoga, and cooler sites in the southern part of the Valley, ensuring a precise balance of fruit, body, and spice.
Gemstone aged the 2021 vintage for 20 months in French oak, and in its youth, the wine’s depth, intensity, and structure hint at a long and beautiful journey for this delightful Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Red Car - Mohrhardt Ridge - Fort Ross-Seaview – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Vinous
Cases Produced: 168
The Mohrhardt Ridge vineyard perfectly encapsulates our mission in viticulture & winemaking – Remote, coastal vineyards that are a challenge to farm, that bare little, yet precious fruit each vintage. Perched atop a ridge near the center of the Fort Ross – Seaview AVA, this site is home to some of the oldest and only Cabernet vines in the AVA. Morning fog, cool days and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make this site unique for growing Cabernet, culminating in wines of typicity and individuality. The 2018 growing season proved to be everything that we look for in a stellar vintage: cool and moderate temperatures, yet plenty of sunshine, lending to slow and even maturation on the vine. Our 2018 bottling was fermented in small open top tanks, using only punch downs & gravity flow, and was aged on lees for 16 months in a combination of neutral & new French Oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration the resulting wine is deep & layered offering rich & supple tannins that will continue to evolve for many years to come.
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Silver Oak - Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 96 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 80.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.6% Merlot, 2.9% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 0.7% Malbec
Our 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with notes of blackberry, blueberry, roasted coffee beans, coriander and a hint of nutmeg. Smooth upon entry, this wine is broad and plush on the mid-palate. It has an elegant density throughout and a long, generous finish. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2041.
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Tenuta di Biserno - Il Pino – Bibbona, Tuscany – 2022
Rating: 95 pts - James Suckling
Composition: Predominantly Cabernet Franc, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, completed by a minimal quantity of Petit Verdot.
The wine is a bright, deep ruby red colour. The broad aromatic range of the bouquet highlights notes of dark fruit that combine with spices, evoking the typical scents of the Mediterranean maquis. The pleasant, slightly toasted aroma conveyed by ageing in barriques is evident in the background. The palate is full, enveloping and fresh, with a lively structure and a pleasantly balanced tannic structure. Outstandingly persistent with great potential for evolution.
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Trapiche – Medalla – Mendoza, Argentina – 2015
Rating: 91 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color with violet hues. A well-structured wine with complex aromas of plum jam, green pepper, raisins, tobacco and a delicate touch of oak. Balanced and very persistent in the mouth with soft and ripe tannins. Ideal to serve with all kinds of red meats, cheeses and pasta with well spiced sauces.
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September 2024 Tasting Notes
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Bodega Septima - Gran Reserve Red Blend – Mendoza – 2016
Rating: 92 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat blend
It is a Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat blend which contains much more than three vines: it is composed of almost one hundred components from different areas of Mendoza, vines, soil types, and degrees of ripeness. It is a wine of unique personality and character achieved by means of a thorough selection of the varieties that compose it. This is the blend with the house imprint, which evidences almost five centuries of winemaking experience at the international level. Elegance, complexity, aging, and aging capacity are the cornerstones that define this blend with an aging potential of over 10 years.
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Hickinbotham – Trueman – McLaren Vale – Australia – 2020
Rating: 96 pts – Australian Wine Competition
Composition: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec
Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard covers a steep cut of country from the ridgetops above the village of Clarendon to the Onkaparinga River in the gorge below. Since its establishment in 1971, the Hickinbotham Vineyard has become a part of Australia’s wine heritage, supplying fruit to produce many of Australia’s greatest wines. Breathing new life into this historic vineyard, winemakers Chris Carpenter and Peter Fraser are forging a new era of Hickinbotham’s prestigious legacy: building upon and honouring the vineyard’s acclaimed pedigree.
Cabernet Sauvignon grows in ideal conditions on the Hickinbotham Vineyard thanks to the combined influence of elevation, aspect, prevailing winds, weather and ancient soils. The ability to consistently retain expressive and fragrant aromas and obtain deep tannin ripeness with concentrated fresh flavors makes Trueman one of the estate’s most highly regarded wines. Trueman evokes aromas of ripe blackberries and bittersweet chocolate with hints of rose petal and wild sage. This transitions to an impeccably balanced palate with black plum notes and a fresh acidity interlaced with velvety tannins leading to a long memorable finish.
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La Sirena – Napa Valley - 2016
Rating: 95 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon is our flagship wine for La Sirena, and the best example of the elegance, balance, and beautiful opulence that I strive for in my red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is what I am best known for, what I have built my 30+ year reputation on, as well as my favorite wine to make. Cabernet lovers will recognize the winemaking style which is similar in blend profile to the famous and much-loved Screaming Eagle wines I made previously. With the richness & depth of Napa Valley Cabernet fruit on display, La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon has a 25+ year tradition of age-worthiness, velvety structure & powerful presence that has impressed wine lovers around the world.
The 2016 Cab is ripe and concentrated, darkly colored and very aromatic in the glass. Immediate notes of blackberry pie, plum, and black cherry are rounded out with 5 spice, cedar, and an accent of toasty French oak. Big flavors meld with a plush, velvety texture on the palate - tannins are velvety and inte- grated, providing the structure to make this wine cellar-worthy for many years to come. A strong initial burst of flavor followed by a round mid-palate, culminating in a long finish - it’s a complete wine that leaves a lasting impression. A gorgeous, classic expression of Napa Valley Cabernet - powerful and well-balanced.
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Stags’ Leap – Oakville – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petite Sirah
This small bottling of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection of the most expressive lots from the Oakville appellation. This blend was fermented separately in French oak barrels (25% new) for 19 months and blended just before bottling. Custom-toasted, very low-impact barrels of new French oak were hand-selected, which supported the wine during maturation but did not impart excessive flavors. Keeping the lots separate throughout fermentation and aging allowed Christophe to monitor and evaluate each lot individually, coaxing each to its maximum potential and complexity.
Our 2019 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with dark berry aromas and flavors. Notes of blackberry, black cherry, and black currant are evident alongside baking spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. You’ll also find more rustic notes of wild chaparral sage, lavender, and thyme, all hints from the well-integrated oak aging and iconic terroir character. The structure is full and round, with velvety mouth-filling tannins, finishing long with incredible structure and balance. The wine is generous, concentrated, and complex, unfolding with layers of nuance and a bright core of acidity. A mouthwatering and pleasing Cabernet, sure to entice any Cabernet lover, that has the potential to age for many years to come.
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Quilt – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 94 pts – Tasting Panel
While the majority of the fruit comes from the floor of the Napa Valley to achieve the richness and elegance desired, we also relied on some grapes grown in the well-drained gravelly soils of the side slopes and at low elevations in the more mountainous areas for a blend with more structure and complexity than we could have achieved had we used fruit grown solely in a single region. Napa Valley AVAs: Oakville, St. Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain.
Dark Plum in color with exuberant aromas of dark cherry strudel, ripe blackberry and cocoa nibs. Bold and opulent flavors dance on the palate. Boysenberry jam, dark chocolate, and Malabar plum swirl with a hint of clove. Elegant with strong acidity and velvety tannins lead to a long smooth finish. Pairs wonderfully with creamy tomato pasta with Italian sausage or a juicy portobello mushroom burger with pesto.
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August 2024 Tasting Notes
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1881 Napa – The Butchers Choice – Napa Valley – 2020
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Zinfandel, 1% Petite Sirah
A dark purple in the glass, lively aromas of boysenberry and toasted vanilla greet the nose. Full-bodied, this Cabernet Sauvignon has layered flavors of caramel, cocoa, mulling spices and currants that are revealed with each sip. Round and balanced tannins lead to a long and smooth finish. Harvested from prestigious vineyards across Napa Valley, this bold Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of warmer climate hillside vineyard fruit and valley floor fruit creating a wine that celebrates the region's diversity and complexity. Picked in the early morning hours to maintain freshness, the grapes went through extended maceration. The wine was aged for 12 months in 40% new American oak barrels before being bottled.
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AXR – Napa Valley - 2021
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling / Jeb Dunnuck
From world renowned Winemaker, Jean Hoefliger, this Cabernet Sauvignon expresses the unique nature of each vintage boasting a bouquet that calls to mind winter baking, freshly felled timber and grandpa's smoking jacket.
Deep, dark, shiny eggplant with touches of black cherry and ruby. Explosion of cedar, cinnamon and cooking spices with black currant, thyme, rosemary, cigar box and graphite. Juicy entrance evolving on a dense mid-palate with granular tannins, but coated with a sweet fruit like plum, lingering on graphite and blackberry jam.
on the rim: deep, dark, shiny eggplant with touches of black cherry and ruby
on the nose: juicy entrance evolving on a dense mid-palate with granular tannins, but coated with a sweet fruit like plum, lingering on graphite and blackberry jam
on the palate: explosion of cedar, cinnamon and cooking spices with black currant, thyme, rosemary, cigar box and graphite
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Mendel – Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Spicy, fruity and intense. Aromas of red and black pepper and red fruit like blueberries, cassis and strawberries backed by delicate quince notes. After swirling, delicate vanilla and caramel notes emerge to contribute complexity and elegance.
Palate: It is pleasant and easy-to-drink. The spice and fruit aromas on the nose follow through on the palate. Plush, sweet tannins contribute structure, zest and unctuousness. An elegant, refreshing wine that delights with a velvety and persistent finish.
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Mt. Brave – Mt. Veeder – 2019
Rating: 97 pts – Decanter
Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Grown on the rocky slopes of Mt. Veeder, the 2019 Cabernet shows notes of black cherry, blueberry, and Asian spice. On the palate, the wine has a profound density of fruit that is structured by fine tannins while the perfectly balanced acidity elongates a long savory finish.
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Raymond Reserve Selection – Napa Valley -2019
Rating: 92 pts – Vinous
Composition: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot
The grapes for this 2019 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested from vineyards across Napa Valley including those planted in our Rutherford and St. Helena estates as well as valley floor and hillside AVAs including Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain which provide the wine with good structure.
Welcoming red fruit aromas waft from the glass in this 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Waves of red currants and plum sauce roll across the palate with notes of red licorice and spice-dusted blackberry fruit flavors. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, the finish has a hint of caramel and lingers.
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Rocca Delle Macie – Roccato, Toscana, Italy - 2015
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
For well over 50 years, the Zingarelli family has dedicated themselves to crafting the finest wines, providing meticulous attention to the vineyards and championing Chianti Classico DOC. Established in 1973 by acclaimed Italian film producer Italo Zingarelli, Rocca delle Macìe totals 600 hectares across six estates in Tuscany. Led today by Italo's son Sergio, his wife Daniela and two children, Rocca delle Macìe is one of Tuscany's leading wine estates.
Grapes are hand selected from the Le Macie estate in Castellina in Chianti. After alcoholic fermentation & malolactic fermentation in concrete vats, the wine is aged 18 months in French barriques (50% new oak), followed by at least 20 months in bottle.
Deep ruby red with garnet reflections A rich, persistent bouquet with hints of red berries & spices like cocoa, vanilla and coffee Warm & well-balanced, with consistent tannins that support a long finish.
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Round Pond Estate – Louis Bovet Reserve – Rutherford – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine embodies a sharp focus on aspects of Rutherford terroir. Stylistically, this wine shows finesse and balance, with dark fruit hints, savory notes and supple, well formed tannins. This wine is age-worthy and deserving of a place of honor in your cellar and on your table.
This striking Cabernet opens with concentrated aromatics featuring black cherry notes, allspice, cocoa nibs and a hint of coffee. Mouthwatering flavors of blackberry, plum and mulberry lead to a touch of black pepper spice and dried herbs on the finish. Firm tannins are beautifully balanced by the acidity, enveloping and lingering upon the palate.
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Paso D’ Oro – Paso Robles – 2021
Rating: 92 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Syrah
Paso-D'Oro means way of gold. Our cabernet sauvignon is true to the grape and true to the place.
Dark ruby red with aromas of ripe blackcurrants and hibiscus with subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Full-bodied on the palate, this wine burst with red bright juicy fruit flavors elegantly balanced with vanilla, coffee and baking spices.
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July 2024 Tasting Notes
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Anakota – Helena Dakota Vineyard – Knights Valley – 2011
Rating: 91 pts – Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Helena Dakota is defined by its power, structure and sophistication. It is an intricate Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects both the terroir of the site and the influence of the surrounding Knights Valley AVA. It possesses layers of plums, anise, cassis, leather, bay leaf and cedar. Galvanized by a streak of minerals and bold tannins. Helena Dakota is a solidly-built wine that stands the test of time. Persistent and lingering spice, with very fine and elegant tannins and a long mineral finish, this a wine that can age for 20-plus years.
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Castello Di Bolgheri – DOC Bolgheri Superiore– 2015
Rating: 96 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot
Castello di Bolgheri is made with a selection of grapes from our 200-year old vineyards located in the surrounding areas of Bolgheri and facing the Tyrrhenian sea. In this special rich vintage with extra soft tannins and gliceric mid palate we decided to increase the percentage of the Cabernet Sauvignon to focus more on classic spice notes and flavors. Of course as well will be increased the longevity of the wine.
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Chateau De Galilee – Vin Selectionne - Israel - 2019
Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Kosher and Mevushal
Chateau de Galilee was started by Yossi Ben Odis who is considered to be one of the most experienced sommeliers in Israel. With a vision to create wines that focus on the Upper Galilee region and encourage the creation of jobs in the area, Yossi launched his own wines in 2016. The grapes are grown and manually harvested in the Upper Galilee, allowing for careful and meticulous handling of the grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels to bring layers to the elegant taste.
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Hewitt – Rutherford – 2017
Rating: 94 pts – Vinous
Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
This outstanding vineyard site on the Western Rutherford Bench has yielded grapes for many celebrated Napa Valley wines, dating back to 1880. The current vines were planted in the well-drained alluvial soils from 1996 - 2002 and budded to Cabernet Sauvignon clones 4, 7 and 8 for flavor diversity and concentration. Hewitt Vineyard has the advantage of being near the Mayacamas Mountains for a slight sloping elevation, but not so close that the vines are shaded in the afternoon.
Our 2017 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon is opulent with a modern sensibility and approachability. There are layers of depth with incredible generosity and unctuousness on the palate. The alluring vibrant aromas and flavors invite you to enjoy macerated blackberry, black cherry and black currant characters, supported by hints of dark cola bean, vanilla, espresso, and rum-raisin. Multi-layered and complex, on the palate you’ll find rich, ripe, dense, dark blueberry, dark plum and blackberry fruit, finishing with a mouthwatering line of acidity and a focused persistence and density. Incredibly drinkable now but also age worthy, this is a wine that truly exemplifies both the personality of Hewitt Vineyard and the tremendous concentration and intensity of the 2017 vintage. The finish is long and inviting with plush velvety-textured tannins. Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to be cellar-worthy, however, if you can’t wait to enjoy a glass, we recommend decanting to allow the fullest expression to evolve and reveal itself within the glass.
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Hill Family – Estate – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 93 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest nearly equal parts Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot
The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is carefully blended to give power and balance. We appreciate the opportunity to use high elevations (Baker Vineyard in Atlas Peak is at 1,200 ft.) with their intense tannins and color, then blend and civilize them with vineyards from the valley floor and cooler areas. 2021 had many hot spells all the way into October, so the sugars outran the tannins in development. The unevolved tannins had to be softened with Merlot and Malbec, and even the Petit Verdot had softer tannins than the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a big intense wine from a low crop fast ripening drought year, but we are all lion tamers at Hill Family Estate, and we are sure this wine will be enjoyed for years to come. The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon displays aromas of ripe berries, cassis, and mocha. Rich fruit and ripe tannins define the style of this wine.
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Sterling – Platinum Reserve – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot
The Platinum is the ultimate expression of Sterling winemaking. Handcrafted from exceptional fruit and carefully nurtured, this rich full-bodied wine offers dark fruit aromas, such as blackberry and cherry, balanced by notes of German chocolate and oak spice. On the palate, juicy blackberry and black currant perfectly blend with dark chocolate and chai spices, leading to a long, smooth finish. Bold yet balanced fruit, polished tannins, and well-structured.
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Whitehall Lane – Tre Leoni – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Three generations of the Leonardini Family (Tre Leoni) are responsible for this expertly made proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. Whitehall Lane and the Leonardini’s are known for making elegant, sophisticated Cabernets. Tre Leoni, while a serious blend, is a little fun and distinctly delicious. Each grape varietal was fermented and aged as separate lots in French and American oak barrels. Winemaker Jason Moulton tasted through each lot and put the final blend together after aging for 20 months. The lion’s share of the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon with equal, lesser percentages of Merlot, and Syrah and a small amount of Zinfandel. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This blend has depth, balance and big flavors. The nose evokes black cherry pie, licorice, plums, vanilla, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, it bursts with cassis, red currants, toasted walnuts, and chocolate. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins. Enjoy Tre Leoni with your next barbeque and when gathering with family or friends.
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June 2024 Tasting Notes
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Black Stallion – Gaspare Vineyard – Napa Valley – 2020
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
The Gaspare Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant and powerful wine that is iconic of the Oak Knoll District. The aromas of blackberry and blueberry also have a note of brown sugar and cedar. The flavors are dark fruit with ripe, fruit sweetness. The structure of this wine is balanced with tannins that are robust, but not too aggressive. It should drink best from 2028-2040.
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Castello Banfi – Belnero – Tuscany, Italy – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese & Merlot
The Castello Banfi Belnero has a deep ruby color and a complex aroma that features notes of ripe fruit, blackberry, plum, and vanilla, with a touch of spice. The taste is full-bodied with a good balance of tannins, acidity, and fruit, offering a long and persistent finish. Perfect with red meats, wild game and aged cheeses.
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Etude – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 98.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.4% Petit Verdot
A bold and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is big and plush with voluptuous layers of ripe dark berry fruit aromas and flavors of black cherry, black currant, cassis and raspberry pie, alongside baking spice notes of cardamom, clove and nutmeg. Hints of cedar and oak spice dance on the palate (a hint at the well-integrated oak) and are enveloped by the velvety-rich tannins and unctuous structure. This Cabernet is warm and inviting with tremendous depth and concentration. Beautifully drinking upon release and will age for many years to come.
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Robert Craig – Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2017
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc
Only 1085 Cases Produced!
Our Spring Mountain Cabernet displays the mountain’s special blue notes – blueberry, boysenberry and exotic plum fruits – that are so distinctive to Cabernets grown on its slopes. We are fortunate to obtain a tiny amount of this exquisite fruit to create a wine with great weight, structure and velvety texture.
The Crowley vineyard is a close fit for our mountain Cabernet portfolio from the highest elevations of Napa Valley. Overlooking St. Helena from its perch at 2,000 feet, this vineyard’s rocky volcanic soil, varied hillside exposures, and moderate climate produce densely concentrated wine grapes. The mountain is cooled by afternoon breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean, creating moderate daytime temperatures and cooler nights that allow grapes to ripen slowly without pushing high alcohol and sugars.
The 2017 Spring Mountain is savory and pleasantly balanced, opening with dark fruit and white floral notes that give way to a palate filled with jam, preserves and a kiss of vanilla. Pure cassis and boysenberry grip nicely on the mid-palate and carry through to the long, lush finish.
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Sanctuary – Rutherford, Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 92 pts – Wine & Spirits
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Only 2935 Cases Produced!
Tight and austere when first opened, this wine takes a day to begin to show itself. What starts as a perfumed note, one that takes Rutherford dust into powder-puff territory, begins to turn toward green-tea-leaf as the tannins allow the firm and juicy core of the wine to show. Give this several hours in a decanter or several years in the cellar for the structure to relent.
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Scheid Vineyards – Monterey - 2016
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet grapes were sourced from our estate San Lucas and Hames Valley Vineyards. San Lucas is a postcard-perfect vineyard, with gorgeous rolling topography, sunshine-filled days and cool nights. Hames Valley is located at the southern edge of Monterey County and has a climate characterized by a high day-to-night temperature differential, with a variation of up to 50° quite common. Each vintage, these two vineyard sites duke it out for the Cabernet title.
The 2016 vintage is intense and focused, with aromas of dark berries, plum, and hints of vanilla and mocha. Bold and full-bodied, it is framed by elegant tannins, with slight herbal notes on the finish. While drinking beautifully now, this rich and vibrant Cabernet will age nicely over the next 5-10 years.
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Susana Balbo – Signature Brioso – Lujan De Cuyo, Argentina - 2020
Rating: 95 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Deep, bright ruby red color. Aromas of dark berries, spices and notes of vegetables, mainly contributed by the two Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc). The fruity aromas continue in the mouth, followed by excellent tension due to its natural acidity. The other varieties provide texture and roundness to the blend. It is a wine of an elegant, lingering finish and great aging potential: it can be stored for up to 20 years.
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May 2024 Tasting Notes
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Etude – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 98.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.4% Petit Verdot
A bold and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is big and plush with voluptuous layers of ripe dark berry fruit aromas and flavors of black cherry, black currant, cassis and raspberry pie, alongside baking spice notes of cardamom, clove and nutmeg. Hints of cedar and oak spice dance on the palate (a hint at the well-integrated oak) and are enveloped by the velvety-rich tannins and unctuous structure. This Cabernet is warm and inviting with tremendous depth and concentration. Beautifully drinking upon release and will age for many years to come.
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Fisher Vineyards – Unity – North Coast – 2018
Rating: 90 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Compostion: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Syrah
The original inspiration for UNITY, the Cabernet Sauvignon blend pays tribute to Fisher Vineyards' early days by bringing the best of Napa Valley and Sonoma County together in one harmonious wine.
The 2018 Unity Cabernet Sauvignon is made with 66% Napa County fruit and 34% Sonoma County fruit. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it opens with notes of graphite and dust over a core of cassis with notes of boysenberry, cedar and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied, it has a core of sweet spice-laced fruits, a firm, grainy frame and just enough freshness on the finish.
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The Debate – Sacrashe Vineyard – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 97 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Sacrashe Vineyard is perched just above Auberge du Soleil in the Rutherford hillside. The chalky and ashy soils of Sacrashe cannot be confused with any other property and lend a freshness and minerality to our wines.
The Sacrashe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark black hue with touches of scarlet and lipstick on the rim. The nose has a beautiful balance between fruit, spices and herbs with touches of pepper, crushed red pepper flakes and rosemary, lingering on dark cherry preserve and fern. The palate has a silky entrance evolving on a fresh mid-palate with granular tannins, touches of mulberry, persimmon and plum, lingering on gingerbread and lilac. 100% Barrel Fermented, 20 days on skins. Aged 22 months, 80% new French oak.
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Treana – Paso Robles – 2021
Composition: 90% Cabernet, 4% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 2% Petite Sirah, 1% Petit Verdot
From the Hope Family Winery, which was named 2022 American Winery of the Year.
Treana is your quintessential Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. From the depth of color and intense nose, this wine is made with structure and purpose. On the palate, flavors of beautiful rich blackberry, warm vanilla, toasted coffee and black cherry are finished with firm but refined tannins.
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Tenuta Sette Ciele – Yantra – Toscana IGT - 2021
Rating: 91 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Lush and primary with blue and black fruit, crushed violets, and a subtle tinge of graphite. It full, supple, and approachable, with fine tannins and a clean finish that lifts off the palate. Drink this delightful and joyful wine over the next 5-6 years.
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Trinchero – Mario’s Single Vineyard – St. Helena, Napa
Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Mario’s Vineyard, St. Helena: Named for founder Mario Trinchero, this rare jewel of a site surrounds our winery in St. Helena, along a narrow, 13-acre stretch of the valley floor formed by river erosion. Its northwest exposure, coupled with a mix of gravel, loam and alluvial soils, makes Mario’s Vineyard ideally suited for opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with impressive structure and velvety tannins.
This is a ruby-hued wine that opens with warm aromas of vanilla, dried blueberry and cardamom. On the palate, bright flavors of red currant and blackberry preserve are perfectly framed by fine-grained tannins, and the wine retains its vibrancy and energy through the finish.
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April 2024 Tasting Notes
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Animo – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Bursting with red fruits like raspberry and currants, the aromas are highlighted by hints of violet and vanilla. On the palate flavors of hibiscus, and marionberry with undertones of earthiness, Portobello mushroom, peppery spice, and oak.
Saturated flavors of black cherries, black olives, dark chocolate and tobacco are wrapped in velvety, persistent tannins in this full-bodied wine. Considering its complexity and concentration, it's an ideal one to stash away for future enjoyment. Best from 2026–2036.
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Beringer – Private Reserve – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 98 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Deeply saturated in color with a rich depth and elegance, exhibiting a substantial backbone and structure, all hallmarks of this incredible 2018 vintage of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and will continue to reward after years of carful cellaring. Fresh, ripe berry notes of blackberry, black cherry, crème de cassis and dark plum all combine, offering a plush, juicy, mouthwatering character that is very approachable in its youth.
Complex layers of wild bramble berry fruit, wild violets and notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, graphite and tobacco spice, from the well-integrated oak, seamlessly are interwoven with the full-bodied ripe tannins, supporting a firm structure with balanced acidity, leading to a long, persistent, textured finish.
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Chateau Montelena – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 91 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot
Pure and powerful, this wine opens with fresh blueberries, blackberry pie and cassis. The endless dark fruit is complemented by a range of baking spices: vanilla at first, but also clove and cinnamon. The first sip instantly reveals the character of this Cabernet: dense and chewy with bright red fruit, incredible tension and pure, fine grain tannins. Not only is everything in its place; but the layers of flavor, the depth of the fruit and the sublime texture are constantly rearranging. Each glass will be a unique experience. In contrast to the dynamic palate, the finish is focused and stout. Abundant cocoa, espresso bean and black pepper dovetail into dark, black fruit while tart raspberry and strawberry jam linger.
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Daou - Reserve – Paso Robles – 2021
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot
The 2021 DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is emblematic of Paso Robles as a world-class region for Bordeaux-style wines. Intense purple-red hues foreshadow deep aromas of black fruit, pomegranate, tobacco, mocha, and bay leaf. Trailing notes of clove, nutmeg, and vanilla emerge as the wine opens up in the glass. Opulent textures expand across the palate with flavors of red fruit, blueberry, and chocolate-covered raspberry. The overall experience is fresh and rich, concluding with velvety tannins and impressive length.
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Goosecross – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 91 pts – Cellar Tracker
Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot
Goosecross, located on State Lane in Yountville in the heart of the Napa Valley, is known for producing high-quality wines and providing excellent customer service. They stay focused on the basics – sustainable farming, attention, care and diligence in the cellar, and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Winemaker Bill Nancarrow joined Goosecross in 2014 after spending more than 10 years making wine at Duckhorn.
The nose displays aromas of blackberry, fresh cut violets, cedar, and vanilla bean. On the palate, rich flavors are highlighted with sweet red currants, cherry cola, blueberry, and peppercorns. This wine teases all the senses with its rich and full- bodied flavors that bounce around in perfect harmony. The acid is balanced throughout with fine tannin that ties the entire wine and its complexity together on the finish.
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Hall – Napa Valley - 2019
Rating: 91 pts – Jeb Dunnuck
Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
This 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet is expressive with aromas of dark cocoa, red berry, and dried herbs. The palate is lush and fruit-forward with hints of spice and leather. The tannin is polished-fully integrated and balanced through the lengthy finish.
The appellation 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is another winner. Ripe red and black fruits, dried flowers, and spice all define the bouquet, and it’s upfront, soft, balanced, and just delicious. Drink
bottles over the coming decade.
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Penfolds – Bin 389 – South Australia – 2020
Rating: 96 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 51% Cabernet, 49% Shiraz
A well-defined focus on palate. Forward facing – line and length. The fascinating interplay between cabernet sauvignon and shiraz providing not only considerable length and structure, but also width and density. Result... completely filling the palate. Always anticipated, a trademark creamy Bin 389 mid-palate. A wine with much to offer even in the flush of youth. Complexing flavours: savoury nuances of freshly sliced fennel, pan wilted radicchio leaf and pickled turnips. Moroccan lamb backstraps on eggplant relish. Red licorice and cherry provide a sweet counterpoint. Evolved tannins seamlessly drive the palate structure. Will last many decades, if you can wait that long.
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RouteStock Cellars – Napa Valley - 2022
Rating: 91 pts – Tasting Panel
Composition: 89.5% Cabernet sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
A deep magenta color leads to an enveloping aroma of cedar, shaved graphite, black plum, and dried thyme. The flavor and structure is all Napa Valley! The wine is medium-full bodied with a beautiful rich, supple texture and flavors of dark fruit, exotic spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), tobacco, coffee, and dark chocolate. There is a nice brightness from the acidity, a subtle kiss of tannin, and nice ripe fruit to make this a complete Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
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March 2024 Tasting Notes
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Castello Banfi – Summus Red – Toscana IGT - 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Sangiovese, 7% Syrah
Banfi was founded in 1978 thanks to the will of the Italian-American brothers, John and Harry Mariani. From the beginning, the goal of the two brothers was to create a state-of-the-art winery combined with the most advanced science in the vineyards for the production of premium wines.
An intense and deep Supertuscan that represents very well the potential of the three vines that compose it. The Castello Banfi Summus is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah and boasts a deep ruby color with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a rich, velvety texture and flavors of dark fruit, leather, and a touch of smokiness.
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Mendel – Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Spicy, fruity and intense. Aromas of red and black pepper and red fruit like blueberries, cassis and strawberries backed by delicate quince notes. After swirling, delicate vanilla and caramel notes emerge to contribute complexity and elegance.
Palate: It is pleasant and easy-to-drink. The spice and fruit aromas on the nose follow through on the palate. Plush, sweet tannins contribute structure, zest and unctuousness. An elegant, refreshing wine that delights with a velvety and persistent finish.
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Ramey – Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 95 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Ramey's thirteenth vintage of this appellation Cabernet is blended from a combination of hillside and valley floor vineyards. Their style combines the harmony produced by traditional Bordelaise winemaking techniques with the voluptuousness gained from California’s weather.
It has a deep ruby color and fragrance of Morello cherries, chocolate, mushrooms, savory herbs and pipe tobacco. The full-bodied palate is powdery and plush with soft, alluring streaks of herbal character and a long, layered finish.
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Round Pond Estate – Kith & Kin – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 92 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec
Kith & Kin, Old English for “Friends & Family,” is a Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the beauty of the Napa Valley and showcases our passion for exceptional winemaking.
Beautifully complex and rich aromatics of bright cassis and ripe red fruit jump out of the glass upon first encounter. This wine opens with bright raspberry, softening through the mid-palate with notes of toffee, cocoa, and crème brulee. The soft and smooth mouth feel paired with fine-grained tannins effortlessly round out this young and serious, yet remarkably approachable Cabernet.
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Round Pond Estate – Louis Bovet Reserve – Rutherford – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine embodies a sharp focus on aspects of Rutherford terroir. Stylistically, this wine shows finesse and balance, with dark fruit hints, savory notes and supple, well formed tannins. This wine is age-worthy and deserving of a place of honor in your cellar and on your table.
This striking Cabernet opens with concentrated aromatics featuring black cherry notes, allspice, cocoa nibs and a hint of coffee. Mouthwatering flavors of blackberry, plum and mulberry lead to a touch of black pepper spice and dried herbs on the finish. Firm tannins are beautifully balanced by the acidity, enveloping and lingering upon the palate.
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Tenuta Sette Ciele – Yantra – Toscana IGT - 2021
Rating: 91 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Lush and primary with blue and black fruit, crushed violets, and a subtle tinge of graphite. It full, supple, and approachable, with fine tannins and a clean finish that lifts off the palate. Drink this delightful and joyful wine over the next 5-6 years.
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February 2024 Tasting Notes
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Alpha Omega Proprietary Red Blend – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 93 pts – The Wine Independent
Composition: 45% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20%, Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc
Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal, handcrafted wines drawing on Old World vineyard practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World
technology and science.
The growing season began with a dry winter and mild spring that led to early budbreak. A few heat spells in May pushed the vines through bloom and later at veraison, with perfectly moderate growing conditions in between. Warm, sunny weather prevailed through September and produced red
grapes with excellent ripeness and deep fruit character. Our red wines are rich, concentrated and show a great depth of flavor
On the nose: Aromas of huckleberries, black cherries and red plums are accented by notes of sage and white pepper with hints of lavender.
On the palate: Rich flavors of blue and red berries are complemented by hints of blackcurrants, black olives, anise and dried herbs.
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Beringer – Distinction Series – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 93 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petite Sirah
A ruby hue sets up aromas of pomegranate, crème de cassis and acai, with notes of oak, cloves and black olive. Flavors showcase blue fruit led by blueberry alongside blackberry, a bit of licorice, walnuts and hazelnut. Opulent, well-balanced and high-toned, the wine shows good depth and a distinctive, lingering finish. Built for immediate enjoyment, the ample tannins frame the possibility that the Cabernet will continue to evolve and grow more complex as it ages. Enjoy over the next decade and longer.
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Goosecross – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 91 pts – Cellar Tracker
Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot
Goosecross, located on State Lane in Yountville in the heart of the Napa Valley, is known for producing high-quality wines and providing excellent customer service. They stay focused on the basics – sustainable farming, attention, care and diligence in the cellar, and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Winemaker Bill Nancarrow joined Goosecross in 2014 after spending more than 10 years making wine at Duckhorn.
The nose displays aromas of blackberry, fresh cut violets, cedar, and vanilla bean. On the palate, rich flavors are highlighted with sweet red currants, cherry cola, blueberry, and peppercorns. This wine teases all the senses with its rich and full- bodied flavors that bounce around in perfect harmony. The acid is balanced throughout with fine tannin that ties the entire wine and its complexity together on the finish.
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Mendel – Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Spicy, fruity and intense. Aromas of red and black pepper and red fruit like blueberries, cassis and strawberries backed by delicate quince notes. After swirling, delicate vanilla and caramel notes emerge to contribute complexity and elegance.
Palate: It is pleasant and easy-to-drink. The spice and fruit aromas on the nose follow through on the palate. Plush, sweet tannins contribute structure, zest and unctuousness. An elegant, refreshing wine that delights with a velvety and persistent finish.
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Merryvale – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
2018 was a remarkable vintage—the long growing season allowed the grapes to achieve full phenolic maturity, while the lack of extreme weather created the ideal conditions for harvesting at peak ripeness. Abundant rains early in the year were followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions.
Bright, fresh and vibrant while rooted with a savory core, this is pure Napa in a glass. Aromas of leather, tobacco, cassis, and dried herbs dance with savory spices and blue fruits. The wine unfolds in layers, showcasing a finesse that belies its power. Medium-bodied with bright acidity that perfectly complements the fine grain tannins. Long, complex, and extremely pleasurable, this wine is a crowd pleaser now, yet will continue to evolve and improve over the next 10 years.
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Substance – Stoneridge Vineyard – Royal Slope, Washington – 2018
Rating: 94 pts – Jeb Dunnuck
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 vintage was incredible! This outstanding vintage began mild followed by a long and dry ripening season in the fall. This enabled us to hang the fruit to reach optimal ripeness without losing acidity or increasing sugars. The wines from 2018 are exceptional in many ways, from the great expression of the whites to the beautiful refinement and complexity of the reds. Enjoy!
A regal robe drapes this cabernet sauvignon in the most gorgeous, brilliant, red-ruby color. Tobacco leaf and pencil lead announce with ash, crush concrete, and toasted herbs in this full attention-commanding elixir. Classic display, classic Cabernet.
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January 2024 Tasting Notes
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Alea Fina – Rutherford Bench – 2018
Rating: 97 pts – Tasting Panel
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cases Produced: 316 (6) bottle cases
Alea Fina is the culmination of years spent in laser-focused pursuit of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon vines. In the end, only the storied Rutherford Bench could render the extraordinary typicity of grape and place that defines Alea Fina. The wine is a devoted messenger of its legendary terroir.
Crafted by Winemaker Sebastian Donoso, in consult with global wine master, Paul Hobbs, Alea Fina is a study in patience and craft. In the glass, our wine is profoundly concentrated with an unmistakable character owed to its Rutherford origins.
A nuanced, garnet-hued wine that reveals profoundly concentrated aromas and flavors of black cherry and blackcurrant, layered over classic Rutherford notes of cedar box, graphite, dust, earth and a subtle suggestion of Portobello. A medium-bodied wine with gracefully refined tannins, this exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon culminates in an exceptionally long finish.
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Alexander Valley Vineyards - Alexander Valley – 2020
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
In the late 1960s we bottled a few cases of Cabernet Sauvignon for friends and family. That homemade wine became the inspiration for our estate winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards. Decades later both our winery and our iconic valley are known as the home of world class Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine is easily recognizable as classic Alexander Valley with medium body, great fruit flavors and smooth, structured tannins. Winemaker Kevin Hall added Merlot for structure, and Malbec and Petit Verdot for color. This is an elegant wine with earthy aromas of cassis, plum, cherry, vanilla, oak and slight chocolate. In the glass there are lush flavors of cherry, cassis, blackberry and chocolate. The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a structured wine with firm tannins and a chewy finish that evolves with each sip. While fruit forward upon release, this wine will reward those with the patience to lay down a few bottles.
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Austin Hope – Paso Robles – 2020
Rating: 94 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Hope Family Wines has been named “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast magazine’s annual Wine Star Awards, the industry’s premier global awards celebration.
The Austin Hope Cabernet displays a beautiful ruby hue. Enticing aromas of fresh black cherry, burnt sugar and a slight smokiness fill your glass. On the palate, flavors evolve with vanilla foam, ripe dark fruit, roasted coffee & nuances of spice. This full-bodied wine is rounded out with smooth supple tannins that are brightened with a touch of acidity to balance this crowd pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Enkidu – Sonoma County – 2021
Best of Class, Double Gold, 97 points - 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition
Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah
The Enkidu 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon has reached a level of richness and depth that excites the senses. For the first time, we employed 15%-20% saignée on every red wine lot that greatly benefitted the Sonoma County Cab. Additionally, 50% of the fruit for this vintage was sourced from the Mayacamas mountain range.
In combining this mountain fruit with the saignée practice we are rewarded with what is perhaps our finest, and certainly most structured, Sonoma County Cabernet. There is our addition of 8% Petite Sirah that adds additional levels of density and length, along with 15% new French oak for complexity and elegance. The continued drought, which featured under eight inches of annual rainfall, further stressed the vines, but added richness. The 2021 Sonoma Cab will age well for over 15 years.
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Eric Kent – Autumn Moon – Sonoma County – 2019
Bottle Artist: Lauren Wolf
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cases Produced: 37
Once again sourced from Knights Bridge just north of Calistoga, we love this source for the savory Cabernet Sauvignon that it yields. Cool winds from the Pacific Ocean keep the valley heat in check and allow the grapes in the sustainably-farmed, hillside-situated vineyard to hang longer and develop serious complexity at an even pace.
In the glass you’ll find plenty of vivid black cherry and creamy cassis accented with dried herbs and bramble on both the nose and palate. The finish is long and suave with fine, dusty tannins, ripe plum, baker’s chocolate and graphite. Not quite “old school” in style, it’s a wine that showcases the elegance and sublime nature of this immensely popular varietal without undue fat from over-ripeness.
As a young Cabernet, it’ll still need some time to mellow and unfold but we think it will hit its stride before the 2018, while also cellaring like a champ for at least a decade. Enjoy it with a brief decant and your favorite hearty fare.
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J Davies – Diamond Mountain District – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Vinous
Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
J. Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of two generations of the Davies family, the product of an intimate knowledge of a place and of a passion to create delicious red wine. The wine is named in honor of patriarch Jack L. Davies, who along with his wife, Jamie, revived the Schramsberg property and established the preeminent American sparkling wine house over 55 years ago.
“The 2019 J. Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet opens with voluptuous black fruit such as blueberry, black cherry, boysenberry and plum, accentuated by undertones of chocolate, cinnamon, blackberry compote, espresso, dark cocoa, prune, clove, mint and herbal notes. Supple tannins anchor the wine’s well-structured palate, where flavors of spiced red fruit and warm spices lead to a rich mouth- filling weight and a lengthy finish.” —Winemakers Hugh Davies, Sean Thompson and Csillla Kato
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Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia – Bolgheri DOC - 2020
Raintg: 93 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 44% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot
Made with the same passion and attention to detail we dedicate to Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a real second vin. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot which combines immediate pleasantness and taste-olfactory complexity with a proven ageing potential.
Deep ruby red colour, with purple highlights, Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2020 clearly reveals an evident and generous aromatic expression, characterised by scents of ripe red fruit. The wine is smooth, rounded and enveloping, but full-bodied and substantial at the same time, showing great balance between structure, fullness and elegance.
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December 2023 Tasting Notes
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Niner Wine Estates – Fog Catcher Bordeaux Blend – Paso Robles - 2018
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 5% Carmenère
Fog Catcher is our flagship estate Bordeaux blend named for the cool, grey banks of fog that drift over our vineyards in the morning. We hand-harvested and sorted the grapes separately into stainless steel tanks before aging the wine in standard French Oak barrels, 80% of which were new. After a little over a year of aging, we assembled the blend using a two-stage process of selecting the best lots of the vintage, and the best barrels of each lot to compose the final blend. The blend was aged for an additional year in once-filled French Oak barrels. The Fog Catcher is opaque in color and boasts layers of dark fruit and spice. Vibrant acidity and lush tannins hint that the bottle will outlast even the most patient collector.
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Penfolds – Bin 407 – South Australia – 2019
Rating: 98 pts – Decanter
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vibrant crimson red color. The aromas soar brazenly, immediately cabernet – tomato relish/chutney, cassis. Other fruits edge forward for shelf space, like yellow-fleshed plum and ripe persimmon. Intriguingly, other less assertive aromatics offer more complexity: sage soaked in butter/oil; olive leaf/turmeric spices, and caper brine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and elegantly framed. No mid-palate deficiencies! Blackcurrant and plum fruits sit alongside mocha/chocolate/walnut flavors. Mouth-watering with fine,
rounded/polished tannins. In sharp palate contrast – a finessed, varietally-driven alternative to the muscular and Grange-like Bin 707 Cabernet.
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Penfolds Bin 704 – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
At the heart of the wine lies a Penfolds soul with mention of Black Forest cake, glazed cherries and dark chocolate aromas (all noted within 2018 Australian Penfolds Bins). Oak doesn’t distract on the nose, it is impossible to avert attention from a fruit-derived core.
A silk-like flow, Bin 704 is still somewhat restrained during this embryonic stage. Dark cabernet fruits transfer from the nose to the palate, common to both senses. Primary fruits are animated and lithe, personality is humble yet there is still quiet conviction when it comes to the wine’s origins...Napa! Without a doubt, regionally entrenched. Chocolate coated (flavor) almonds (tannic-texture). Pomegranate-like acidity contributes to liveliness and dovetailed cedary/spicy oak adds to intrigue. Sleek. Silken. Supple.
Impressive is the cyclical nature of viticulture and winemaking, and Penfolds recognizes that different hemispheres often end up being the mirror image of the other. The name Bin 704 draws inspiration from the “mirror” or “reverse” image of its Australian Bin 407 stablemate, a wine which also respects varietal expression.
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Pope Valley Winery – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 92 pts - USA wine ratings
Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Fresh aromas of juniper and sage unfold to smoked jerky and cassis; the palate if dark and juicy supported by fresh cigar and toffee flavors; followed by dusty cocoa powder and tight structure on a clean, focused finish.
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Taub Family Vineyards – Heritance – Napa Valley – 2017
Rating: 92 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Each Taub Family Vineyards wine represents some of the best sites in Napa Valley. Each wine embodies a pure expression of its respective AVA and vineyard microsite and are crafted for elegance and extraordinary balance.
Deep ruby color. On the nose, this wine has ripe dark fruit such as cherries and blackberries. Oak is well integrated with baking spice and subtle cedar notes. The medium, chewy tannins display a long flavorful finish. Pairs well with grilled red meats (especially steak), hearty stews and hard cheeses.
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Trapiche – Medalla – Mendoza, Argentina – 2015
Rating: 91 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color with violet hues. A well-structured wine with complex aromas of plum jam, green pepper, raisins, tobacco and a delicate touch of oak. Balanced and very persistent in the mouth with soft and ripe tannins. Ideal to serve with all kinds of red meats, cheeses and pasta with well spiced sauces.
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November 2023 Tasting Notes
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Carpineto – Farnito – Tuscany, Italy – 2016
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The name Farnito is derived from a type of oak tree known as Farna found in the vicinity of the vineyards. Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from estate-grown fruit. A full bodied Super Tuscan, Carpineto Farnito is a rich expression of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal boasting complex aromas of ripe red cherry with concentrated flavors of spice and licorice. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months, the wine is structured with a vanilla note and big tannins marking the finish.
On the nose, it expresses complex yet clean aromas of black fruits, spices, licorice, vanilla, and cherry. it is full-bodied, rich, and persistent, with elegant tannins and a structured finish.
Ideal to accompany grilled steaks, roasted rack of lamb, or lamb chops. It is also excellent with aged Tuscan cheeses.
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DAOU - Soul of a Lion - Adelaida District – 2020
Rating: 97 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Named for the father of Georges and Daniel Daou, Soul of a Lion is the crown jewel of DAOU, and an emblem of our quest to produce unsurpassed Cabernet Sauvignon from the terroir of DAOU Mountain.
The 2020 vintage presents an alluring profusion of black cherry, mulberry and Oregon blackberry aromas with notes of leather, cigar box and dark chocolate. Hints of desert sage and crème de menthe accent the rich fruit. The palate is silky and voluptuous, delivering loads of currant, cassis, black raspberry and ripe cherry. Notes of fig and baking spice are underscored by earthy tones of dates and truffle. Mature, ripe tannins yield a weighty, velvety texture integrated with a limestone minerality and subtle oak. A lengthy finish leaves lingering impressions of blackberry, plum and espresso with a touch of white pepper. A wine of immense staying power that will evolve favorably for many years to come.
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Miner Family - Emily's Cuvee – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Emily’s is our eponymous offering in remembrance of Emily Miner, co-founder of Miner Family Winery. This blend is as expressive and elegant as our muse. We honor her by crafting a decadent and rich wine layered with aromas of black fruit and hints of mocha, espresso and toasted oak. Truly iconic Napa Valley for a truly iconic woman.
This has a pretty nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, lavender, iodine, pecans and graphite. Some chocolate orange. Medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of herbs and earth. Excellent structure and freshness.
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Opolo Summit Creek – Paso Robles – 2021
Rating: 91 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Summit Creek line is dedicated to flagship grape varieties made in an approachable style, as exemplified by the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. Opolo's passion for Cabernet Sauvignon is reflected in the Paso Robles region's rise to prominence as an elite area for the variety.
The 2021 Summit Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with enticing aromas of black plum, black olive, dried herbs and toasted oak. A broad, integrated mouthfeel delivers cascading flavors of blue fruits, black currant and cassis. Sleek supporting notes of French oak are accompanied by impressions of caramel and leather. The finish is plush, long and seamless.
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Scheid Family Vineyards – Block 58 – Monterey – 2016
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an ultra-limited production wine, with only 4 barrels produced!
Grower and winemaker, two disciplines that are inextricably linked. When the relationship flourishes, so does the wine. Kurt Gollnick and Dave Nagengast have been growing wine grapes and making wine together for the past 17 years.
Full-bodied, structured and polished, Block 58 is a limited production Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects their strong partnership and dedication to perfecting their combined crafts.
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Taub Family – Mt. Veeder – Napa Valley - 2019
Rating: 96 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes come from the Barchuk Vineyard in the Mt. Veeder AVA, planted in1996. Deep, well drained soils of the Boomer Series are constructed of gravelly loam weathered from metavolcanic and basic igneous rocks.
Etched in aromas of sage, cedar and pencil shaving, this wine is robust and ripe, brawny and burly in style and approach, reflecting its Mt. Veeder source. The fruit is dark and broodingly rich. Thick layers of blackberry, black cherry, toffee and earthy tobacco framed within a foundation of firm, integrated tannin, and balanced power. Structured, age-worthy, and complex, the wine finishes on sustained savory notes of cardamon, clove, and freshly tilled earth.
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October 2023 Tasting Notes
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Beringer – Knights Valley Reserve – Sonoma - 2018
Rating: 95 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
We select only the finest wines from our Knight’s Valley Estate to make our Reserve. Knights Valley Reserve is a vineyard block selection followed by an individual barrel selection. To maintain the unique characteristics of the different lots from varying areas of the vineyard, they are kept separate through vinification and aging, and only the most expressive are chosen for this Reserve bottling. Extended maceration created more dominant tannins, enhancing the lush mouthfeel of the blend while extracting a maximum of color, aromas, and flavors.
Deep garnet-ruby in color, the 2018 Knights Valley Reserve invites with deep aromas of black cherries and kirsch lifted with a touch of blue flowers and mint. Concentrated flavors of black currant, blackberries and cassis coat the palate with notes of warm spices, vanilla and mocha. This is a bold Cabernet richly textured with polished tannins, focused in crushed dark fruit, and underlain with a fine tension that extends the long, earthy finish.
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Chateau Paloumey - Haut Medoc - Bordeaux, France - 2020
Rating: 92 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 55% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Appealing and elegant ruby robe. Delicate red fruit aromas. A subtle overtone of wood reveals its spicy bouquet. Remarkable balance with round and ripe tannins. Elegant and silky on the palate, it finishes with a delectable touch of femininity.
This is a great wine to sip on the patio on a hot summer’s day or as a cocktail. The wine goes well with shell fish, white fish, sushi and curry, as well as white-meat dishes.
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Hickinbotham – Trueman – McLaren Vale – Australia – 2019
Rating: 97 pts – Andrew Caillard
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard covers a steep cut of country from the ridgetops above the village of Clarendon to the Onkaparinga River in the gorge below. Since its establishment in 1971, the Hickinbotham Vineyard has become a part of Australia’s wine heritage, supplying fruit to produce many of Australia’s greatest wines. Breathing new life into this historic vineyard, winemakers Chris Carpenter and Peter Fraser are forging a new era of Hickinbotham’s prestigious legacy: building upon and honouring the vineyard’s acclaimed pedigree.
Cabernet Sauvignon grows in ideal conditions on the Hickinbotham Vineyard thanks to the combined influence of elevation, aspect, prevailing winds, weather and ancient soils. The ability to consistently retain expressive and fragrant aromas and obtain deep tannin ripeness with concentrated fresh flavors makes Trueman one of the estate’s most highly regarded wines. Trueman evokes aromas of ripe blackberries and bittersweet chocolate with hints of rose petal and wild sage. This transitions to an impeccably balanced palate with black plum notes and a fresh acidity interlaced with velvety tannins leading to a long memorable finish.
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Miner Family - Emily's Cuvee – Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Emily’s is our eponymous offering in remembrance of Emily Miner, co-founder of Miner Family Winery. This blend is as expressive and elegant as our muse. We honor her by crafting a decadent and rich wine layered with aromas of black fruit and hints of mocha, espresso and toasted oak. Truly iconic Napa Valley for a truly iconic woman.
This has a pretty nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, lavender, iodine, pecans and graphite. Some chocolate orange. Medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of herbs and earth. Excellent structure and freshness.
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Silver Oak - Alexander Valley - 2017
Rating: 93 pts – Wilfred Wong
Composition: 95.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.6% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.3% Petit Verdot, 0.1% Malbec
The inaugural vintage from our LEED Platinum and Living Building-certified Silver Oak winery is ruby in color with a purple rim. Warm and inviting, it has notes of red currant, cassis, ripe plum, cardamom and toffee. There’s depth and weight on the palate—a harmonious intensity. This wine has a long and beautiful finish, and its fine tannins will provide drinking pleasure through 2043 with proper cellaring.
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Taub Family - Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard – Oakville - 2018
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Located north of the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper was originally part of a large piece of land owned by George C. Yount, from whom the town of Yountville takes its name. Purchased by Charles Hopper and given to his daughter Missouri in 1877, the land was planted to wine grapes and other fruit.
Displays a beautiful dark red and purplish hue. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and fantastically balanced. Supple tannins provide structure to the soft, rounded mouthfeel. Aromas of blackberry preserves fill the nose, lifted by red cherry, kirsch, and crème de cassis, along with graham cracker, cedar, and cigar box. The palate is packed with layers of boysenberries, blackberry cobbler, and an array of red berry fruits combined with spice accents (licorice, cardamon, vanilla) and well-integrated toasted, sweet oak, leading to a long, luxurious finish.
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September 2023 Tasting Notes
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Beringer – Q Red Blend – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 93 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Petite Sirah
With the focus on Howell Mountain within Napa Valley, each distinctive varietal lot is kept separate from the moment of harvest until final blending the following year. Each year, the Q Red Blend showcases traditional Bordeaux varietals with a foundation of Cabernet Sauvignon, the backbone and undisputed star of Beringer.
Ripe and juicy aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum are accompanied by lifted herbal freshness, alongside toasting oak spice, vanilla, and mulled fruit. On the palate the texture is plush and inviting, showing full-bodied, rich, and round tannins, leading to a warm inviting finish. The layered texture is savory and mouthwatering.
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Bolla – Amarone della Valpolicella – 2016
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 70% Corvina, 30% Rondinella
While the structure of Corvina profiles as less dry, less tannic, and lighter bodied, it does present similar levels of acidity and ABV. The Cab Club strives to expand our users exposure to different varietals and regions in our journey into the world of wine.
In the town of Soave, southeast of Verona, Abele Bolla ran the Al Gambero Inn where he served his famous wines and established the first Bolla cellar in 1883. In 1947, Bolla entered the American market and since has garnered famous admirers, from Frank Sinatra to Rudolph W. Guiliani. Amarone has its origins in the Roman Empire and today is one of the jewels of European winemaking. Hand-picked grapes from each vintage in the Valpolicella District are allowed to dry naturally on straw mats in order to concentrate their flavors. After gentle pressing, the wine is slowly fermented and then aged in oak for several years; a unique process that yields a unique wine.
Deep garnet, velvety red in color with aromas of wild-cherry jam, spice, and hints of cedar. It delivers rich, dry, black-cherry flavors, and a finish that is long, round, and persistent with cacao and spice. Enjoy with red meats, roasts and grilled dishes, game, braised meats, and all well-aged cheeses.
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Chateau Mongravey - Margaux, Bordeaux, France – 2020
Rating: 96 pts – Decanter
Composition: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Mongravey is "amongst the most elegant Margaux wines"... It is not surprising that the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois has awarded Chateau Mongravey the title of "Cru Bourgeois" as of the 2003 vintage. Since 1980, Chateau Mongravey's destiny has been in the hands of Régis Bernaleau who designed and built the remarkable cellar. Through his hard work, he has been able to pass on his passion while ensuring that this exceptional cru always shines with prestige and elegance.
Ripe, lovely fragrant nose of pencil shavings, oyster sauce, and cedar. Very fine palate, and lovely intensity of plums, black cherries, and blackcurrants, with hints of violets, wet stones, and hoisin. Extremely well made, refined, and harmonious.
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Freemark Abbey - Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec & 1% Cabernet Franc
Dark ruby in color, the flavors such as blackberry, boysenberry and Bing cherry dominate with nuances of milk chocolate, chocolate berry truffle dusted with cocoa powder, aromatic cedar and Herbs de Provence. The sweet oak spice is very well integrated, adding to the overall complexity. The body is very full, with a soft entry, coupled with dark cherry flavors that develop from start to finish. With great texture, integrated tannins, and pleasant mouth feel, this cabernet is full bodied, rich and opulent. In one word.... delicious.
The 2017 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet is deep garnet in color with aromas of black forest fruits, dark cherry, and lingonberry and is complemented with notes of espresso, dark chocolate, cedar and graphite. The palate is met with flavors of chocolate truffle, berry pie, mocha, and black pepper. The sweet oak spice adds a vibrant lift to the wine while the mid palate is full and creamy with well-integrated tannins. The wine expresses a long finish and pairs well with rich foods or is delicious on its own. It drinks wonderfully now and will cellar well for decades.
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La Jota – Howell Mountain – 2018
Rating: 97 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot
La Jota Vineyard Co. is unique in its long history, its bucolic location, and its intimate scale. This truly authentic Napa Valley gem traces its founding, vineyards, and even the stone winery itself directly back to the late 19th Century, when German, French and Italian immigrants knew instinctively that high mountain vineyards produced the finest fruit and the best wines. It was with this knowledge, in 1898, that Frederick Hess founded the La Jota Vineyard Co. in a remote, wind-swept hollow high on Howell Mountain.
Today, winemaker Chris Carpenter proves himself a worthy descendant of those far-sighted pioneers, putting a wealth of knowledge and nearly two decades of hard-won mountain winemaking experience to use in near-perfect conditions at La Jota. Here, where hawks ride the wind over a rough, emerald patchwork of vineyards and forest, Chris works to nurture and then manifest the unique character of each La Jota vineyard block in elegant wines of great depth, mountain character, and historic pedigree.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon shows its Howell Mountain terroir nicely yet still has a supple, textured, elegant style that gives it plenty of upfront appeal. Beautiful cassis and darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and cedar pencil notes emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with present yet silky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish, where it shows more and more tannins with time in the glass. It can be drunk today with plenty of pleasure, but smart money is on giving bottles 2-4 years of bottle age and following for 10-15.
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The Setting – Alexander Valley – 2019
Rating: 97 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This 2019 is a beast! A true Cabernet drinkers Cab. The 2019 vintage is like if 2013 and 2016 had a baby – big, powerful, structured, full of energy and impossible not to be consumed immediately. Boasting appealing dark fruit aromas of plum, blackberry and luxardo cherry co-mingled with hints of fresh tobacco, our Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful expression of the region. Bold yet elegantly structured, it offers firm tannins and a juicy mid-palate while revealing warming notes of cocoa and baking spice on the long, graceful finish. This character-driven wine can be enjoyed now with 60 minutes in the decanter or put away in your cellar to sleep – this 2019 Alexander Valley will age like a -glacier.
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Trinchero – Mario’s Single Vineyard – St. Helena, Napa
Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Mario’s Vineyard, St. Helena: Named for founder Mario Trinchero, this rare jewel of a site surrounds our winery in St. Helena, along a narrow, 13-acre stretch of the valley floor formed by river erosion. Its northwest exposure, coupled with a mix of gravel, loam and alluvial soils, makes Mario’s Vineyard ideally suited for opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with impressive structure and velvety tannins.
This is a ruby-hued wine that opens with warm aromas of vanilla, dried blueberry and cardamom. On the palate, bright flavors of red currant and blackberry preserve are perfectly framed by fine-grained tannins, and the wine retains its vibrancy and energy through the finish.
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August 2023 Tasting Notes
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Anakota – Helena Dakota Vineyard – Knights Valley – 2011
Rating: 91 pts – Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Helena Dakota is defined by its power, structure and sophistication. It is an intricate Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects both the terroir of the site and the influence of the surrounding Knights Valley AVA. It possesses layers of plums, anise, cassis, leather, bay leaf and cedar. Galvanized by a streak of minerals and bold tannins. Helena Dakota is a solidly-built wine that stands the test of time.
Fragrant, opulent, and complex, bursting with fresh blueberry and black currant, Crème de Violette, and subtle fresh bay leaf aromatics. The palate is luxurious and rich, perfectly balancing this wine’s firm structure.
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Caymus Suisun – The Walking Fool – Suisun Valley – 2021
Composition: Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
This new red wine blend is produced from Suisun Valley, a remarkable AVA that has become the Wagner family’s second home. Like its close neighbor Napa Valley, Suisun Valley has ideal soils and climate for a variety of grapes. The Walking Fool is named after a long-ago relative who was often seen traveling by foot – thus earning this affectionate moniker. Featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this wine is smooth and lively, with juicy raspberry, notes of espresso and softly fine tannins.
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DuMOL – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 96 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The culmination of four distinctive vineyards, this wine has a deep fruit core defined by its warm, up-valley sites in Oakville and St. Helena. The cooler sites of Coombsville and Spring Mountain layer on broad texture and density. There’s a seamless quality in the blending of these diverse elements, the final wine beautifully combining power and elegance, richness and breadth.
The wine is beautifully textured and layered with an expansive, mouth-filling palate and broad enveloping tannins, but this richness never comes at the expense of detail or freshness. There’s an intriguing seamless complexity that one would expect from a blend of vineyards; each site complements the next, layering nuance on top of power, breadth alongside elegance. The wine has evident volcanic-soil, cool-climate markers: intense floral lift, fragrant bay laurel, and woodsy potpourri notes. But it’s the fruit core from the warmer up-valley vineyards that leads the charge: ripe, dark, plush, and chewy with an extended arc of flavor and a subtle opulent finish.
Highly perfumed, exotic floral aromas intersperse with blackberry, plum, sweet thyme, and spiced clove. The palate is fruit-focused with black cherry and dark cassis notes alongside a sense of crushed stone. Cedar, pencil lead, and sweet tobacco notes shine through with a touch of bittersweet cocoa. Power matched with elegance offers a balanced opulence with myriad nuances. The wine’s natural density and well-defined tannins promise an aging potential of 12+ years.
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Fess Parker – Addendum – Stagecoach Vineyard – Atlas Peak – 2016
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fess Parker was a man of great optimism and curiosity. A man who possessed an uncanny ability to envision what was possible in any given scenario. Having established a name for itself as a producer of highly regarded Burgundian and Rhône varietals grown in Santa Barbara County, the second-generation sought to expand upon Fess’s vision. Leveraging long-term relationships with committed Napa growers, Addendum was born. A limited, stand-alone offering of Bordeaux varietal wines, Addendum sources fruit from some of the most prestigious and established vineyard holdings in the Napa Valley.
“Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with youthful, rambunctious scents of baked blueberries, warm cassis and black forest cake plus nuances of cedar chest, dark chocolate, candied violets and licorice. Full-bodied, the concentrated black berry preserves flavors are well-supported by firm, superbly ripe tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing very long and perfumed” – Wine Advocate
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Justin – Isosceles – Paso Robles – 2019
Rating: 95 pts – Tasting Panel
Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot
Deep ruby/purple core with a black secondary color, and lighter toward the rim with moderate plus viscosity and slow-forming, moderately stained tears. Very aromatic and complex with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, and licorice spice with sweet tobacco, cedar, leather, and camphor notes. Full-bodied with ripe complex black cherry, boysenberry, cassis, and blackberry fruit on entry with baking spice. Dusty tannins appear on the midpalate with cedar, dried tobacco leaf, and saddle leather as it progresses. The finish is long, fresh, and balanced with notes of bay leaf, dried red rose petal, oak, and sustained tannins.
The 2019 Isosceles is a bold wine with ripe fruit and attractive savory elements, which balance each other perfectly. This wine is rich and complex enough to be enjoyed on its own, but is a perfect match with a classic filet mignon with traditional sides.
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Raymond - Reserve Selection – Napa Valley -2019
Rating: 92 pts – Vinous
Composition: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot
The grapes for this 2019 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested from vineyards across Napa Valley including those planted in our Rutherford and St. Helena estates as well as valley floor and hillside AVAs including Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain which provide the wine with good structure.
Welcoming red fruit aromas waft from the glass in this 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Waves of red currants and plum sauce roll across the palate with notes of red licorice and spice-dusted blackberry fruit flavors. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, the finish has a hint of caramel and lingers.
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Vina Robles – Mountain Road Reserve – Paso Robles – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
The fruit for the Mountain Road Reserve grows in the Adelaida District, at an elevation of 1,700 feet and only 12 miles from the Pacific Coast. Situated in the rugged coastal mountains west of Paso Robles, this prime vineyard site features rocky calcareous soils and southwestern exposures that lend themselves to producing stunning wines. This special selection focuses on very small lots of limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Petit Verdot in the blend to enhance the structure of the finished wine.
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July 2023 Tasting Notes
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Beaulieu Vineyard - Georges de Latour Private Reserve - Napa Valley - 2019
Rating: 100 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot
James Suckling's 2022 #1 Wine of 2022
The 2019 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is truly exemplary of this iconic wine, with a nuanced, exuberant nose that shows dark, ripe, berry fruit aromas of black raspberry, red currant, and black cherry, alongside delicate chaparral herb notes of wild lavender, rose, fresh mint, sage, and thyme. Exotic spiced notes from the well integrated new French oak barrel aging adds caramel, cedar, and clove, all accompanying the plush fruit seamlessly, showcasing the depth, elegance, and balance of this world renowned Cabernet. Full-bodied with tremendous concentration and power, the broad palate is multilayered with enticing flavors of dark black cherry, red currant, cocoa nib, amaretto, espresso, and graphite. Signature "Rutherford Dust" tannins add a fine cocoa-powder texture, with a long lift and persistent finish, while secondary notes of earth, espresso and pencil shavings add to the complexity and nuance. The mouthwatering palate is supple and fresh, with balanced acidity, demonstrating the classically elegant, luscious, and alluring character this wine is known for. Incredibly drinkable upon release in its youth and highly cellarable for many years to come.
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Clay Shannon – OVIS – Lake County, Napa Valley - 2016
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Shannon Ridge Family of Wines is proud to introduce OVIS, a collection of premium small-lot wines from our estate vineyards in Lake County.
It took three years to find the very best block of Cabernet on our Home Ranch vineyard, and then two long years of barrel aging to allow all of the fruit components and tannins to meld naturally.
Aromas of dried fruits, black currants, toasted hazelnuts, and dark chocolate fuse with flavors of savory herbs, worn leather, dried cherries and French oak to resonate up through the glass.
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Langetwins – Midnight Reserve Bordeaux Blend – Lodi – 2016
Composition: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc, & 5% Merlot
Opening with an inviting classic Cabernet Sauvignon note of dark cherry, the smooth aroma joins rich dark berry and cassis on the palate. A lush texture from oak aging is supported by resolved tannins that lead to a long finish of savory Belgian chocolate with a hint of spice. It is an elegant Bordeaux blend with character that develops with every sip.
By knowing the strengths of each vineyard we distinguish which blocks are ideal for Midnight Reserve. The 2016 vintage is from five of our vineyards:
▪ Cabernet Sauvignon | Thirty Eight & Railroad | Jahant Appellation
▪ Petit Verdot | River Ranch | Jahant Appellation
▪ Malbec | Rose 2 | Clements Hills Appellation
▪ Cabernet Franc | Miller | Clarksburg Appellation
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LVE by John Legend – Napa Valley – 2017
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot
Legend Vineyard Exclusive was a dream long in the making. As with his music, John searched for the right collaborator, a vineyard whose pursuit of the perfect blend and standards of excellence equaled his own. With roots deep in the Napa Valley and award-winning wines known for beautiful balance, finesse and power, Raymond Vineyards was the perfect match.
Opening with alluring aromas of dark fruit, blackberry compote and dark chocolate our 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon entices the senses. Sumptuous fruit-driven flavors with notes of cassis and caramelized oak are harmonious and balanced. Elegant and refined tannins with complex flavors make this an immensely enjoyable wine.
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Rodney Strong – Alexander’s Crown – Alexander Valley - 2016
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Established in 1971 and recognized as the first vineyard in Alexander Valley to produce a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander’s Crown vineyard is perched on a hill in the south of the Alexander Valley just west of Jimtown. Encompassing 63 acres, the vineyard is in the first part of the valley to feel cool Pacific breezes each afternoon. We use Block 1, the top 15 acres of well drained red volcanic soil to craft this wine, resulting in intensely flavored Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 2016 most everything conspired to make it a fabulous year to grow fruit in California, and Sonoma in specific. The replanting of the Crown has paid huge dividends with ripe black and red fruits streaked with dried herbs and floral notes. The texture is opulent for a mountain wine and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this wine now or cellar it for enjoyment in 8 to 10 years after it has spread its wings.
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St. Supéry – Estate – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a 100% Estate Grown, sustainably farmed winery located in the renowned Rutherford growing region in the heart of Napa Valley. Committed to producing the highest quality estate wines without compromise, we focus on sustainable winery and farming operations to protect the land and environment for future generations.
This Estate Cabernet of deep purple hues, presents dark blackberry aromas combined with an elegant toasted oak nuance, threads of
boysenberry, rich opulence with subtle notes of jam and graphite. Flavors follow with ripe blackberry jam, a luscious approach of dark fruits, terrific structure supported with elegant moments of oak and a finishing hint of anise. This is a supple yet generous wine with an excellent structure, feel and approach.
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Vina Robles – Mountain Road Reserve – Paso Robles – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot
The fruit for the Mountain Road Reserve grows in the Adelaida District, at an elevation of 1,700 feet and only 12 miles from the Pacific Coast. Situated in the rugged coastal mountains west of Paso Robles, this prime vineyard site features rocky calcareous soils and southwestern exposures that lend themselves to producing stunning wines. This special selection focuses on very small lots of limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Petit Verdot in the blend to enhance the structure of the finished wine.
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June 2023 Tasting Notes
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B. Leighton – Gratitude Red Blend – Yakima Valley – 2016
Rating: 96 pts – Jeb Dunnuck & James Suckling
Composition: 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 5% Syrah
Beautiful, luscious and alive - Gratitude opens up to blackberry, violet and mint. Yet reaches back and flows with complex notes of lemon thyme, orange zest, morels and marjoram. Rich, yet elegant and lovely to drink. It finishes with crushed rock, white pepper and baking spices. Another wine to be thankful for.
“The Mourvèdre-dominated 2016 Gratitude Blend is a flat-out awesome wine as well as possibly the greatest expression of the variety to come out of Washington State. Beautiful notes of black and blue fruits, dried earth, peppery spice, and loads of floral and rose petal notes all flow to a full-bodied red that has an incredible sense of elegance and purity as well as richness and depth.” – Jeb Dunnuck – 96 pts
“The nose has an array of ripe raspberries with deeper layers of blueberries and pastry that follow to the palate. It’s an open book, in terms of delivering such attractive fruit, and it holds long and pure into the finish. There’s deceptive complexity inherent in this blend. From the Olsen Brothers Vineyard, planted to the same percentages and made as a field blend. The Chateauneuf killer!” – James Suckling – 96 pts
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Cono Sur – 20 Barrels Limited Edition – Maipo Valley, Chile – 2018
Rating: 91 pts – James Suckling
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon 91%, Syrah 7%, Carménère 2%
Most definitely a Cabernet Sauvignon with ample character and personality. This wine has a beautiful, concentrated ruby red coloring and intense aromas of plum, cassis and blueberries, which combine gracefully with softer earthy traces and end with hints of mocha and smoke. A full, complex and intense palate with persistence and an elegant finish.
A deep ruby red, this Cabernet Sauvignon is extremely aromatic, displaying aromas of red fruits such as cherry and raspberry, along with cassis and hints of ash, white pepper and spices. Great concentration and volume in the mouth with full, round tannins. Perfect for pairing with barbecued filet and smoked beef.
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Fisher – Mountain Estate Vineyard – Sonoma Mountain - 2016
Rating: 96 pts – Jeb Dunnuck
Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Following more than four decades planting vineyards and adapting farming practices to the mountain climate and terrain around the winery, we launched our Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon. The core of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on steep, west facing terraces that rise above the winery, reaching a towering elevation of 1,400 feet. Other contiguous vineyard blocks yielding fruit of mature character and balance incorporate a great diversity of soils and exposures, providing additional complexity and unmistakable mountain terroir.
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Estate Vineyard is a dark, brooding wine. A terrific example of Sonoma Cabernet, the 2016 possesses superb textural richness and intensity to match its dark, somber profile. An infusion of inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, iron, game, dark spice, leather and licorice runs through this super expressive, rugged Cabernet Sauvignon from the Fisher family's Mountain estate.
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Penfolds - Bin 704 – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
At the heart of the wine lies a Penfolds soul with mention of Black Forest cake, glazed cherries and dark chocolate aromas (all noted within 2018 Australian Penfolds Bins). Oak doesn’t distract on the nose, it is impossible to avert attention from a fruit-derived core.
A silk-like flow, Bin 704 is still somewhat restrained during this embryonic stage. Dark cabernet fruits transfer from the nose to the palate, common to both senses. Primary fruits are animated and lithe, personality is humble yet there is still quiet conviction when it comes to the wine’s origins...Napa! Without a doubt, regionally entrenched. Chocolate coated (flavor) almonds (tannic-texture). Pomegranate-like acidity contributes to liveliness and dovetailed cedary/spicy oak adds to intrigue. Sleek. Silken. Supple.
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Scheid Vineyards – Monterey - 2016
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet grapes were sourced from our estate San Lucas and Hames Valley Vineyards. San Lucas is a postcard-perfect vineyard, with gorgeous rolling topography, sunshine-filled days and cool nights. Hames Valley is located at the southern edge of Monterey County and has a climate characterized by a high day-to-night temperature differential, with a variation of up to 50° quite common. Each vintage, these two vineyard sites duke it out for the Cabernet title.
The 2016 vintage is intense and focused, with aromas of dark berries, plum, and hints of vanilla and mocha. Bold and full-bodied, it is framed by elegant tannins, with slight herbal notes on the finish. While drinking beautifully now, this rich and vibrant Cabernet will age nicely over the next 5-10 years.
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St. Supéry - Dollarhide Estate Vineyard – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 96 points – The Tasting Panel
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a 100% Estate Grown, sustainably farmed winery located in the renowned Rutherford growing region in the heart of Napa Valley. Dollarhide Ranch is a 1,530+ acre property with steep, rolling hills, some flat lands, seven lakes and a vast array of wildlife located in the northeastern hills of Napa Valley. With elevations ranging from 600 – 1,100 feet, we have planted over 500 acres of grapevines, leaving the rest of the property to thrive in its natural state. Committed to producing the highest quality estate wines without compromise, we focus on sustainable winery and farming operations to protect the land and environment for future generations.
This cabernet sauvignon’s dark fruit aromas of black plum and cassis are tight yet bright with hints of vanillin and toasted barrel, with a note of licorice and ground pepper. Big juicy blackberry flavors are evenly textured, structured and carry with length. The wine is ripe and opulent with an appealing note of dark chocolate and dusty cocoa feel. A serious cabernet sauvignon that has integrity; built to reward with time in the cellar.
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Tenuta Campo di Sasso - Insoglio Del Cinghiale – Toscana IGT – 2020
Rating: 93 Points – James Suckling
Composition: Merlot 23%, Syrah 39%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Petit Verdot 4% and other red grapes 8%
This is our founding wine. The original label, featuring a picture of a wild boar and the name “insoglio”, the place where this animal goes to root and roll around, expresses the soul and culture of the Maremma. Exceptionally fruity, fine, linear and versatile.
Medium-deep purplish red; floral bouquet of violets and fresh tobacco with vibrant fruity sensations of cherry and blackberry. Decisive and enveloping entry on the palate, ripe and well-defined tannins, fresh acidic vein, energetic finish.
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May 2023 Tasting Notes
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Clos Du Val – Napa Valley – 2021
Rating: 93 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Clos du Val, French for “small vineyard estate of a small valley,” was founded in 1972 in the renowned Stags Leap District. The winery was first recognized for its Cabernet Sauvignon at the famed Judgment of Paris in 1976, establishing its place as one of Napa Valley’s most iconic winery estates. Still family-owned today, Clos du Val farms two estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations and continues to craft wines of balance and complexity, showcasing the fruit from the outstanding terroir on which our estate lies.
This fresh and vibrant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with aromas of blackberry, mulberry, cassis, and violet. On the palate, bright flavors of cranberry, red plum, cherry, and lavender are intertwined with supple tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, smooth finish.
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Crown Point – Estate Collection - Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara - 2017
Rating: 96 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Eleven miles north of the Pacific Ocean, Crown Point Vineyards lies between the Santa Ynez coastal range and the flanking San Rafael mountains. The Mediterranean climate combined with the stress inducing rocky soil creates the ideal balance to produce 45 acres of distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
“There's a purity to the nose of this bottling that reveals deep, lush waves of boysenberry paste alongside a savory tone of charred beef. Polished tannins frame the sip, where ample amounts of rich black plum and blackberry are enhanced by caramel, coffee bean and mocha flavors, with acidity holding tight into the finish”. – Wine Enthusiast
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D’Arenberg – Coppermin Road – McLaren Vale, South Australia – 2017
Rating: 94 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
A wine of balance and harmony. The cooler, slightly wetter vintage has marked this wine in a positive way. Savory, cedar, cigar box, sage, oregano and ferrous notes through to lifted violets, blackcurrant, boysenberry, mulberry, mint and citrus peel. The palate opens generously, presenting opulent fruit on the attack, matched with a medium bodied mid palate and complemented and drawn out through ripples of fine, chalky tannins.
Dark and intense Cabernet. This wine has personality - a loud and powerful aroma. Very fragrant with green and red capsicum, savory spices, tomato leaves, blackcurrant and sage. The flavors follow suit, with red fruits, fresh cherries, capsicum, tomatoes and Asian spices. There’s some white and black pepper to be found towards the back palate. A long, lingering and persistent wine that sits with you for a long time. The exciting fine grain tannins have developed over time making for a wine that can be enjoyed now, but promises huge potential. Will cellar for 20 to 30 years, easily. A lovely wine on its own accord, but suggest pairing with a rich meat dish like lamb or steak.
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Fattoria di Rodáno - Mon Nené – Toscana IGT, Italy – 2015
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Rodano is a small, artisanal estate nestled in a quiet hillside in Castellina-in-Chianti, southwest Tuscany. Vittorio Pozzesi had been in charge of the estate since they first began to bottle wine on their own in 1967 but now his son, Enrico, handles the management of the winery. Mon Nené is named after Enrico’s daughter. The gem of the property is the beautiful, south facing amphitheater vineyard of Viacosta (average vine age 35-45 years), from which these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come.
Intense, concentrated and deep ruby-colored, this wine offers complex aromas of red fruit. It is rich and dense in the mouth, yet harmonious, with sweet, balanced tannins. It's tremendous depth and structure ensures an extraordinary longevity.
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Hess – Mt. Veeder – 2019
Rating: 94 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
Our signature Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our estate Veeder Hills Vineyard. The elevation of this vineyard ranges from 600-1,120 feet, and its steep slopes and sedimentary clay and shale soils restrict root growth, resulting in Mount Veeder's hallmark small berries with intense fruit flavors.
“Our 2019 estate-grown Cabernet provides an exemplary expression of the sophistication, complexity, and structure that we’ve come to expect from our mountain fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon produces aromas of ripe, wild, mountain raspberry, along with gentle notes of vanilla caramel. The subtle touch of Malbec adds a soft, mouth-filling texture on the palate. Enticing flavors of dark plum, licorice, cocoa and vanilla oak spice unite to create a supple wine that lingers for a pleasing finish.” – Dave Guffy,
Director of Winemaking
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Outerbound – Alexander Valley - 2019
Rating: 91 pts – Wilfred Wong
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
To honor the revered wine grape of Alexander Valley and the inaugural vintage of Outerbound, this wine was sourced from three select vineyards on the west side of the AVA: the winery's estate vineyard, Smith Ranch Vineyard, and Wessel Vineyard. Our Cabernet offers notes of black fruit, gooseberry and dried herbs. Medium to full in body, this wine is filled with flavors of black currants, plums and baking spice blending seamlessly with prominent tannins that linger until the next sip.
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Quest – Paso Robles – 2021
Rating: 93 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc Blend
From the Hope Family Winery, which was named 2022 American Winery of the Year, the Quest Cabernet Franc Blend is an exciting and unique wine. This blend displays a beautiful herbaceous nose of anise seed, warm chocolate and fresh mint. On the palette flavors of black fruit, dark chocolate, and slightly earthy nuance of leather are present. On the finish, soft fine tannins leave a light coat on the palette and mingle with a delicate touch of acidity that balance the wine allowing the flavors to linger.
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April 2023 Tasting Notes
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Fattoria di Rodáno - Mon Nené – Toscana IGT, Italy – 2015
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Rodano is a small, artisanal estate nestled in a quiet hillside in Castellina-in-Chianti, southwest Tuscany. Vittorio Pozzesi had been in charge of the estate since they first began to bottle wine on their own in 1967 but now his son, Enrico, handles the management of the winery. Mon Nené is named after Enrico’s daughter. The gem of the property is the beautiful, south-facing amphitheater vineyard of Viacosta, from which these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come.
Intense, concentrated and deep ruby-colored, this wine offers complex aromas of red fruit. It is rich and dense in the mouth, yet harmonious, with sweet, balanced tannins. It's tremendous depth and structure ensures an extraordinary longevity.
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Mt. Brave – Mt. Veeder – 2017
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate
Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder bursts out of the glass with vivacious black currants, black cherries and wild blueberries notes with touches of dark chocolate, licorice, violets and cloves. Full-bodied, firm and very finely grained in terms of texture, the palate explodes with fruit and freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully fragrant. Impressive! – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant crème de cassis, baked plums and Morello cherries scents, followed by nuances of sautéed herbs, clove oil, mocha and scorched earth. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with layers of black and blue fruits, sporting a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and minerally.
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Santa Ema – Amplus – Maipo Alto, Chile - 2014
Rating: 93 pts - Wine Spectator
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Amplus Cabernet Sauvignon belongs to the Premium line of Viña Santa Ema, which comes from Alto Maipo, the unparalleled area in Chile to grow complex and unique Cabernets. An elegant and sophisticated wine with a deep red color and fine, intense aromas of plums, blueberries, and blackberries intermingled with a touch of nutmeg and toast. Firm tannins and concentration are delivered smoothly towards a persistent finish.
Amplus Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep red color with high intensity, aromas of black fruit like blueberry, plum, and blackberry with a hint of dark chocolate. It’s an intense wine on the palate, with great concentration of ripe, firm tannins and a long, fruity finish.
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St. Suprey – Élu Meritage – Napa Valley – 2016
Rating: 93 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a 100% Estate Grown, sustainably farmed winery committed to producing the highest quality estate wines without compromise. Élu, meaning “chosen” or “elected” in French evolved from St. Supéry Winemaker, Michael Scholz and renowned Winemaker, Michel Rolland’s desire to craft a red wine blend each year that is a seamless and elegant reflection of our two properties. This is a wine of great density, yet a sense of charm.
This elegant red blend is structured with length and a graceful, fine grain of tannin. Vibrant and deep reds and purples introduce Élu, with aromas of black plum and juicy blackberry. The fragrances of anise, graphite, dark cocoa, espresso and toasted barrel add extra depth and richness. Flavors of black plum and youthful blackberry are complemented with a hint of cassis, together with notes of espresso, black pepper and black licorice.
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Trinchero – BRV – Napa Valley – 2015
Rating: 91 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Atlas Peak region, Napa Valley’s highest appellation, is home to our Haystack Vineyard, an extremely rocky site, where struggling vines create small, intensely concentrated berry clusters. Cloud’s Nest Vineyard, Mt. Veeder Soaring high above the valley floor to 1,500 feet in the Mt. Veeder appellation, our 13-acre Cloud’s Nest Vineyard is incredibly steep with gravelly soil. A cool, eastern exposure gives the grapes more time on the vine to develop the region’s signature bold, luscious flavors.
Being the pinnacle of our portfolio, this sustainably sourced Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense, deep garnet purple hue indicative of its highly concentrated palate. The nose is ripe, with powerful vanilla, plum sauce and tobacco aromas. Full-bodied and concentrated, this Cabernet showcases vibrant, opulent black raspberries and youthful, chalky tannins with a fleshy mouthfeel and medium finish. This wine reflects the intensity of its mountain origins and has tremendous aging potential.
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Trinchero – Mario’s Single Vineyard – St. Helena, Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Mario’s Vineyard, St. Helena: Named for founder Mario Trinchero, this rare jewel of a site surrounds our winery in St. Helena, along a narrow, 13-acre stretch of the valley floor formed by river erosion. Its northwest exposure, coupled with a mix of gravel, loam and alluvial soils, makes Mario’s Vineyard ideally suited for opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with impressive structure and velvety tannins.
This is a ruby-hued wine that opens with warm aromas of vanilla, dried blueberry and cardamom. On the palate, bright flavors of red currant and blackberry preserve are perfectly framed by fine-grained tannins, and the wine retains its vibrancy and energy through the finish.
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Ziata – Mia Madre – Napa Valley – 2017
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec
The 2017 Mia Madre Red Blend boasts a vibrant bouquet of ripe plum and blueberry, dried lavender, dark chocolate, toasted cardamom and other exotic spices. With a seductive entry and rich mid-palate weight, layers of unctuous black fruits are enveloped by sweet yet structured tannins. This wine is drinking beautifully in its youth but will age gracefully for 10-15 years.
March 2023 Tasting Notes
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Buehler – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 92 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine is brimming with fruit aromas and flavors biased to the black fruit end of the Cabernet spectrum: plums, blackberry, and black currant. Rich and full bodied on the palate, this Cabernet drinks well on release but will soften and develop with additional age. For those who seek youthful fresh Cabernet fruit aromas and a more structured wine, drink it from 2022 through 2026. If you prefer the less fruity, more developed bottle bouquet aromas and a softer, more velvety wine on the palate, drink it from 2027-2037.
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Silver Oak - Alexander Valley - 2017
Rating: 93 pts – wine.com
Composition: 95.5% Cabernet Sauvignon 3.6% Merlot 0.5% Cabernet Franc 0.3% Petit Verdot 0.1% Malbec
The inaugural vintage from our LEED Platinum and Living Building-certified Silver Oak winery is ruby in color with a purple rim. Warm and inviting, it has notes of red currant, cassis, ripe plum, cardamom and toffee. There’s depth and weight on the palate—a harmonious intensity. This wine has a long and beautiful finish, and its fine tannins will provide drinking pleasure through 2043 with proper cellaring.
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Silver Oak - Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 96 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 80.8% Cabernet Sauvignon 14.6% Merlot 2.9% Petit Verdot 1% Cabernet Franc 0.7% Malbec
Our 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with notes of blackberry, blueberry, roasted coffee beans, coriander and a hint of nutmeg. Smooth upon entry, this wine is broad and plush on the mid-palate. It has an elegant density throughout and a long, generous finish. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2041.
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St. Supréy – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 92 pts – James Suckling
Composition: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 2% Merlot
Opulent purple and red hues present this wine. Cassis, black plum and dark raspberry aromas combine with anise and subtle vanilla, evidence of the toasted oak maturation. Juicy blackberry and black currant flavors
mingle with dark cocoa, black licorice, espresso and subtle toasted oak. This textured and elegantly structured cabernet sauvignon exhibits a velvety tannin finish.
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Stark-Condé Stellenbosch – South Africa – 2018
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Petite Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon is our signature varietal and this particular wine is the bedrock of our winery. This award-winning Cabernet is blended with traditional Bordeaux varietals grown on the farm. Blackberry fruit aromas with tea-leaf and cedar notes. The palate is rich and polished with dark fruit and mocha flavors and a finely balanced acidity. This wine displays a
rich palate, a long finish, and fine tannins typical of a Jonkershoek Valley wine.
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Theorize – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Decanter
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Crafted by 100-point winemaker Jean Hoefliger—the man behind perfect wines from Alpha Omega and The Debate—the 2019 Theorize displays that impeccable Napa Valley vintage in a wine that not only earned 94 points from Decanter, but claimed a spot on their list of top buys in value 2019 Napa Cabernet.
Dark ruby with touches of royal red and garnet. A beautiful balance of spices like nutmeg, thyme with cherry pie, cedar, vanilla bean, touches of coconut and molasses, gingerbread. Fresh but lush entrance evolving on ripe sweet fruit like cherry preserve macerated strawberries lingering on tannins and cinnamon.
February 2023 Tasting Notes
Captûre – Cloverdale Peak – 2019
Rating: 93 pts – Jeb Dunnuck
This Cabernet Sauvignon wraps the rugged spirit of the mountain in an elegant frame. Impossibly dark and inky, a bouquet of freshly picked raspberry jumps out of the glass with cola spice, violets, blueberry pie and hints of brown sugar. Rich raspberry compote, cassis, and milk chocolate notes reveal themselves on the palate overlaid with warm pepper and spice box aromas. The palate is prominent with mountainous tannins that will age gracefully in the cellar.
Ernesto Catena - Siesta en el Tahuantinsuyu – Mendoza, Argentina – 2014
Rating: 91 pts – Tim Atkin
Composition: 100% Cabernet
Intense reddish hues, clean and shiny, nose resembles red pepper, olives, cinnamon, blackberry and cherries. Exquisite palate and imposing structure it is at the same time fresh, intense and long lasting. In the mouth it finishes with an enduring and pleasant aftertaste.
Galerie Pleinair - Napa Valley - 2017
Rating: 91 pts - Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet
The 2017 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a very deep garnet-purple color and bursts from the glass with crushed blueberries, black cherry compote and boysenberries with touches of raisin cake, Chinese five spice and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has lovely freshness and a lovely bit of chew texturing the finish.
Honig – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 91 pts - Wine Spectator
Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot,
2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Currant, plum and black raspberry aromas are intermingled with a mélange of black pepper, nutmeg, and whisper of dried herbs. The aromas flow through to similar flavors on the palate. Sweet oak pulls it all together, complementing the lush textures.
Titus - Family Estate Reserve – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 93 pts – Jeb Dunnuck
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon 91.0%, Petit Verdot 5.0%, Malbec 4.0%
The 2018 Titus Family Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon shows off the typical concentration and depth that is quintessential of the vines grown in the rocky soils at our Ehlers Lane Vineyard. The wine is dark with aromas of cassis, blueberry, roasted coffee, molasses and lifted floral notes. The body is dense and powerful on entry with purity displaying black raspberry, blueberry, and black currant flavors. The structure is focused with mouthcoating tannins that draw the wine through the palate. The finish is rich and lingering, accented by essences of cigar box, dark chocolate and espresso.
Yao Family Wines – Napa Valley – 2018
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Spectator
Composition: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot
and 9% Malbec.
Appearance exhibits a deep ruby hue. Aromas are layered with berry and flavors of cherry, cassis and violet. There is a core minerality with lavender tones. The oak is well integrated and has nice toast aromas with hints of vanilla and wild sage. On the palate the wine is lush and firm but also has mature long tannins and supple texture. This wine can be enjoyed now and will age for 10 years.
January 2023 Tasting Notes
Arrowood Réserve Spéciale – Sonoma Valley – 2014
Rating: 95 pts - Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Introduced to the nose with seductive dark fruit and aromas of blackberry, fresh fig, and licorice, this wine is rich in complexities. Fresh notes of Bing cherry and violet also surface as the wine breathes. Framed by a firm structure and silky elegance, the persisting texture defines what makes this wine the Reserve Speciale. The power behind this wine ingratiates itself to the entire palate—dark chocolate and nutmeg outline baking spices and plum. And a lingering finish will carry on long afterwards. The long barrel aging and year in bottle before release guarantee its readiness to drink. However, those that hold onto it will be rewarded, with an aging potential of 20+ years.
Austin Hope – Paso Robles – 2020
Rating: 95 pts – Wine Advocate
The Austin Hope Cabernet displays a beautiful ruby hue. Enticing aromas of fresh black cherry, burnt sugar and a slight smokiness fill your glass. On the palate, flavors evolve with vanilla foam, ripe dark fruit, roasted coffee & nuances of spice. This full-bodied wine is rounded out with smooth supple tannins that are brightened with a touch of acidity to balance this crowd pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon.
Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills – Washington – 2017
Rating: 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Syrah
lmpactful deep plum aromas with hints of raspberry jam and the feeling of fresh ocean spray open your mind to the tasting experience to ensue. The first entry to the pallet is silky smooth and opens with delicately assembled blackberry, plum, and peach cobbler, all supported by a dusty tannin structure which is complemented by a mouthwatering sensation approximately five seconds from the beginning of the experience. The finish is lengthy and subtle with hints of South American coffee and heath candies.
Kendall Jackson – Jackson Estate Appellation – Alexander Valley - 2017
Rating: 92 pts - Vinous
Composition: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Merlot
A bold, powerful wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley possesses tremendous density and tons of pure power. Black cherry, menthol, licorice, chocolate, cloves and French oak add to an impression of gravitas and brooding power. This is an especially rich, muscular style.
Penfolds Bin 704 – Napa Valley – 2019
Rating: 94 pts – Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Black Forest cake, glazed cherries and dark chocolate aromas. Oak doesn’t distract on the nose, it is impossible to avert attention from a fruit-derived core. Chocolate coated (flavor) almonds (tannic-texture). Pomegranate-like acidity contributes to liveliness and dovetailed cedary/spicy oak adds to intrigue. Sleek. Silken. Supple.
Pope Valley Winery – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 92 pts - USA wine ratings
Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Fresh aromas of juniper and sage unfold to smoked jerky and cassis; the palate if dark and juicy supported by fresh cigar and toffee flavors; followed by dusty cocoa powder and tight structure on a clean, focused finish.
December 2022 Tasting Notes
Arrowood Réserve Spéciale – Sonoma Valley – 2014
Rating: 95 pts - Wine Advocate
Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Introduced to the nose with seductive dark fruit and aromas of blackberry, fresh fig, and licorice, this wine is rich in complexities. Fresh notes of Bing cherry and violet also surface as the wine breathes. Framed by a firm structure and silky elegance, the persisting texture defines what makes this wine the Reserve Speciale. The power behind this wine ingratiates itself to the entire palate—dark chocolate and nutmeg outline baking spices and plum. And a lingering finish will carry on long afterwards. The long barrel aging and year in bottle before release guarantee its readiness to drink. However, those that hold onto it will be rewarded, with an aging potential of 20+ years.
Fortress – North Coast – 2018
Rating: 93 pts – Wine Enthusiast
Composition: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 9% Merlot
Intense color with a dark ruby center and garnet edges. Aromas of raspberry to dark plum with a bit of dark spice and a lift of sweet toffee. The palate is fruit-forward with dark lush blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry flavors, followed by a great mid-palate with chewy tannins on the finish. Overall, the wine has great balance and is approachable enough to drink young as well as the structure and tannins to age gracefully.
Freemark Abbey - Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 94 pts - James Suckling
Composition: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Freemark Abbey's Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, supple and inviting. Black cherry, plum, mocha and licorice give this open-knit Cabernet tons of up-front appeal. Silky tannins wrap around the juicy, inviting finish.
Kendall Jackson – Jackson Estate Appellation – Alexander Valley - 2017
Rating: 92 pts - Vinous
Composition: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Merlot
A bold, powerful wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley possesses tremendous density and tons of pure power. Black cherry, menthol, licorice, chocolate, cloves and French oak add to an impression of gravitas and brooding power. This is an especially rich, muscular style.
Mt. Brave – Mt. Veeder - 2018
97 pts – Jeb Dunnuck & Vinous
Composition: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec
Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant crème de cassis, baked plums and Morello cherries scents, followed by nuances of sautéed herbs, clove oil, mocha and scorched earth. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with layers of black and blue fruits, sporting a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and minerally.
Opolo Summit Creek – Paso Robles – 2020
Rating: 91 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon 87% Merlot 9% Malbec 2% Petit Verdot 2%
The Summit Creek Cabernet Sauvignon opens with warm aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and toasted oak. A plush, mouth filling texture unfolds with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, cassis and mocha. Notes of cedar and tobacco are joined by buoyant acidity on a smooth, supple finish.
Pope Valley Winery – Napa Valley - 2018
Rating: 92 pts - USA wine ratings
Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Fresh aromas of juniper and sage unfold to smoked jerky and cassis; the palate if dark and juicy supported by fresh cigar and toffee flavors; followed by dusty cocoa powder and tight structure on a clean, focused finish.